Alvaro Mejia-Ayala, an illegal migrant, is in custody following the alleged strangulation of his 8-month-old sister in Leesburg, Virginia, raising renewed scrutiny of U.S. immigration enforcement and the handling of criminal illegal aliens.
Leesburg police arrived at the family’s Hancock Place Northeast apartment around 10 a.m. last week after a report of an unresponsive infant.
Officers discovered the baby girl with a white charging cord around her neck. She was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries the following day. Infant
Mejia-Ayala, who is in his early 20s, briefly fled before authorities reached the scene but was apprehended within hours.
Court documents indicate he contacted a friend, admitting he had been “playing with his sister and may have killed her.”
He is being held without bond and faces potential murder charges, with additional counts possible, Law & Crime repots.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a detainer for Mejia-Ayala.
DHS reports that he first entered the U.S. as part of a family unit in 2016 and was released into the interior by the Obama administration.
His immigration case was dismissed in October 2024 under the Biden administration, allowing him to remain in the country unlawfully.
DHS also noted a prior 2024 reckless driving arrest in which he was released before ICE could intervene.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the attack, describing it as “barbarism” and calling Mejia-Ayala a “sick monster.”
She emphasized that the ICE detainer ensures that criminal illegal aliens are not returned to U.S. streets.
“President Trump and Secretary Noem have been clear: criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States. We pray for this precious baby,” McLaughlin said.
NBC 4 reports that Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat offered condolences, describing the incident as a devastating loss affecting the family, the local community and first responders.
She highlighted the efforts of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and Commonwealth Attorney’s Office in managing the case.
Legal analysts indicate the charges could increase depending on the investigation’s outcome.
Former prosecutor Jeremy Rosenthal told FOX 5, “The biggest single variable in the incident is whether the child dies. If the child dies, then this is a capital case.”
The incident has intensified discussions over public safety and immigration enforcement nationwide.
Data indicate that a number of crimes have been committed by individuals who entered or remained in the U.S. unlawfully.
Critics of the Biden administration argue that policies allowing illegal immigrants to remain in the country have coincided with rising incidents of violent crime in certain areas.
In response, the Trump administration has focused on stricter enforcement measures, targeting illegal immigrants with criminal records for deportation to prevent repeat offenses and safeguard communities, The Daily Caller notes.
Experts say immigration enforcement remains a politically charged issue.
Federal authorities under the Trump administration emphasize that individuals apprehended for serious crimes are a priority for removal.
This includes illegal immigrants involved in violent assaults, drug offenses or other criminal activities, aiming to reduce risks to public safety while reinforcing the rule of law.
Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the alleged assault.
The Leesburg community continues to mourn the infant’s death, grappling with the aftermath of a crime that has left lasting trauma on the family and neighbors.
The case underscores the ongoing challenges of balancing immigration policy, law enforcement and community safety in Virginia and across the country.
