Gamez Cadena faces a charge of attempted first-degree murder and is being held in local custody. ICE said it lodged an immigration detainer immediately after he was arrested to ensure he is not released back into Charlotte neighborhoods without federal notification.
“Sanctuary politicians repeatedly place dangerous MONSTERS like this above the safety of American citizens,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in the Homeland Security statement. “We are calling on North Carolina politicians to commit to not releasing this attempted murderer from jail back into American communities.”
According to ICE, Gamez Cadena entered the United States legally on a B‑2 tourist visa but overstayed his permitted time. The agency said it issued the Feb. 1 detainer to prevent his release “back into American communities.”
Officials with DHS criticized local and state leaders for past refusals to cooperate with immigration authorities, citing what federal officials described as North Carolina’s “history of refusing to cooperate with ICE and releasing criminals back onto our streets to create more victims.”
The case is the latest example between federal immigration enforcement and Charlotte officials, who have faced growing scrutiny from DHS for their so-called “sanctuary” policies. In a series of recent press releases, ICE has accused the city of repeatedly releasing noncitizens facing serious criminal charges, even after immigration detainers were filed.
ICE Director Todd Lyons called the death “heartbreaking” and said, “Sanctuary policies have real consequences, and this is one of them.” Lyons added that Xocop‑Vicente had previously been convicted of driving under the influence and was released twice from local custody before ICE could intervene.
The Department of Homeland Security launched Operation Charlotte’s Web last November to target what it described as “criminal illegal aliens hiding under the city’s sanctuary policies.” DHS said the operation has resulted in more than 1,300 arrests statewide, as of the department’s Jan. 20 announcement.
As of this week, Gamez Cadena remains in local custody while ICE awaits word on whether Mecklenburg County officials will honor the detainer.
NTD News has contacted the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for additional information, but received no response prior to publication.