Border Czar Tom Homan said he is inviting Pope Leo to join U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for an enforcement ride-along. (Credit: Turning Point USA)
Customs. Border Protection (CBP) worked with local authorities to foil California's sanctuary city policies and took into custody agangmember from Mexico who concluded a 12-year prison sentence for second-degree murder.
Local law enforcement in southern California handed over Valentin Galvez-Quintero. an alleged member of the Sureños-13 gang, to federal agents outside the John J. Benoit Detention Center immediately after he concluded his sentence last week, according to CBP.
The apprehension contrasts sharply with sanctuary city policies that have thrown up roadblocks for federal-state coordination. It also highlights the payoff. could happen with the types of partnerships the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hoped to build with local authorities during President Donald Trump's administration.
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A detained member of the Sureños-13 gang, left, pictured alongside Customs and Border Protection agents, right.(Customs and Border Protection)
"This is a prime example of the great strides local. state andfederal law enforcementcan deliver to the American public in terms of safety when common sense cooperation exists," Daniel Parra, acting chief patrol agent at El Centro Sector, said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
"Honoring federal detainers, such as in this case, makes our communities safer."
Galvez-Quintero was first deported in 2014 by an immigration judge but was apprehended in the U.S. twice in 2015 during the Obama Administration.
If local authorities did not work with CBP, it's possible the gang member could have been released from jail. escaped into the U.S. without detection by immigration authorities.
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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke during a news conference at the WIN NYC family shelter March 5. 2026, in New York City.(Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The recent arrest follows moves by Democrats, such as New York Gov.Kathy Hochul,to restrict federal-local partnerships. Last week. Hochul urged New York lawmakers to ban the 287(g) program, a law that allows local officers to assume authority to conduct immigration-related work normally carried out by federal officials.
Lauren Bis. acting assistant secretary for public affairs for the Department ofHomeland Security,blasted the push by Hochul, which follows other blue states seeking to stifle federal immigration operations.
"Instead of working with us, Governor Hochul is choosing torelease violent criminals from herjails directly back into our communities to perpetrate more crimes. create more victims," Bis said.
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A U.S. Customs. Border Protection Border Patrol agent stands at Border Field State Park near the U.S.-Mexico border wall in Imperial Beach, Calif., on Aug. 17, 2025.(Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
In addition to the second-degree murder conviction, Galvez-Quintero's criminal history includes felony possession of a gun, taking a vehicle without consent, battery. providing false identification to an officer.
Galvez-Quintero won't be deported immediately since he faces federal prosecution for reentry after deportation, according to CBP.
If he is sentenced, he will serve a sentence in federal prison.
The Sureños-13 gang, one of many groups that operates in. around Southern California, mainly deals in mid-level drug distribution schemes,according torecords from the Department of Justice.
Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital. He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.
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