Immigration detainer filed for 18-year-old accused of striking ICE agent in Maryland
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says an immigration detainer has been filed for an 18-year-old Honduran national who is being held by Howard County police.
Jimy Samuel Godoy Alfaro turned himself in to Howard County police on Aug. 21 on traffic-related charges, police said. Federal immigration officials have also issued an arrest warrant for Godoy Alfaro, accusing him of assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding or interfering with a federal officer.
DHS alleges Godoy Alfaro struck an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent with his vehicle during an immigration enforcement operation on Aug. 11 and then fled the scene.
A Howard County police spokesperson said Godoy Alfaro is being held without bond at the Howard County Detention Center on multiple charges related to a hit-and-run.
According to DHS, ICE officers approached Godoy Alfaro's parked vehicle in a deli parking lot in Columbia, Maryland, as they attempted to make an immigration arrest.
DHS said officers ordered Godoy Alfaro to get out of the vehicle. As officers attempted to open the door, he allegedly drove toward them, forcing one officer to jump out of the way and pinning another officer between the parked vehicle and Godoy Alfaro's vehicle.
Godoy Alfaro allegedly then sped away from the scene. The officer who was struck was taken to a hospital for treatment.
DHS said Godoy Alfaro illegally entered the United States near Laredo, Texas, on Jan. 29, 2021, and was later released by the Biden administration to a sponsor.
"We remind the public that assaulting law enforcement is a felony and a crime," a DHS spokesperson said. "While ICE law enforcement works to remove these public safety threats from American communities, they're also facing a 1,300% increase in assaults, a 3,300% increase in vehicle attacks, and an 8,000% increase in death threats."
Godoy Alfaro has a pending application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, according to a federal complaint.
This year, Howard County approved sanctuary laws that ban private detention centers and limit ICE's access to county agencies and facilities.
According to The Baltimore Banner, in 2020, the Howard County Council voted 4-1 to approve the Liberty Act, which prevents the county from using any resources for immigration enforcement unless required by federal or state law.
ICE is also working to build a field office in Elkridge after a legal battle with Howard County, which fought to block the project.
Earlier this month, a federal judge reinstated permits allowing construction to resume on the proposed ICE field office. Genesis GSA Strategic One LLC, which was contracted by the federal government, is overseeing the project.