An immigrant to the United States arrested in Rutherford County is facing the possibility of deportation. Bernabe Cruz-Martinez who currently resides in LaVergne was picked up on a charge of DUI. Martinez was arrested on Sunday and placed under a $2,500 bond. If the 32-year old comes up with the money to post the bond he will not be released because he was placed under an “ICE Detainer.”

You have likely heard on past WGNS news stories, an ICE detainer is a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement “detainer.” An immigration detainer is a notice that the Department of Homeland Security issues to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to inform them that the immigration enforcement agency intends to assume custody of an individual that is currently in local law enforcement’s custody.

According to the immigration enforcement service, detainers are critical for ICE to be able to identify and ultimately remove criminal aliens who are currently in federal, state or local custody.

Source:

Rutherford County Sheriff's Office
Definition of Detainer – U.S. ICE Agency