U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Baltimore arrested Rafael Aguilar, a Honduran national charged with attempted murder and later convicted of assault, after Prince George’s County released him from custody despite a federal immigration detainer, according to ICE officials.
Aguilar was taken into ICE custody on Jan. 13, following his release from the Prince George’s County Adult Detention Center one week earlier. ICE said it had lodged an immigration detainer against Aguilar on Aug. 19, 2025, requesting that the county notify federal authorities prior to his release. The detainer was not honored.
According to court records and ICE statements, Aguilar was charged in connection with a violent assault on April 19, 2025, in which he stabbed a victim in the back as the victim was walking home. Prosecutors initially charged him with attempted second-degree murder. The charge was later reduced, and Aguilar was convicted of second-degree assault.
Despite receiving a 10-year sentence, Aguilar served approximately 141 days before being released on probation, ICE said.
ICE Baltimore Acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins said the case highlights the consequences of jurisdictions declining to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
“When jurisdictions refuse to honor ICE detainers for criminal offenders, individuals charged with serious violent crimes are returned to the community,” Liggins said. He added that ICE continues to pursue custody of individuals it identifies as removable under federal law.
ICE confirmed that Aguilar has been issued a notice to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge. He will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his immigration proceedings.
Prince George’s County has not publicly commented on the specific detainer decision in Aguilar’s case.
The arrest comes amid continued debate over the role of local governments in cooperating with federal immigration enforcement, particularly in cases involving individuals charged with violent crimes.
