ICE agents nab violent illegal migrant hiding in Connecticut who allegedly murdered Mexican police officer

Federal immigration authorities recently arrested Orlando Diaz-Cebada, a man from Mexico accused of killing a police officer in his home country. He was captured while hiding in Connecticut, a state known for its sanctuary policies, which often limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Diaz-Cebada is reportedly a member of a criminal gang called “Los Pochos,” which works with the powerful Sinaloa cartel, a group known for drug trafficking and violence.

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security say Diaz-Cebada had entered the U.S. illegally multiple times. He was deported twice before but kept coming back. The first deportation took place on May 22, 2024. Just two days later, he tried again and was caught and deported for a second time. Even that didn’t stop him. He managed to sneak past border security a third time and made his way to Connecticut, where he was eventually arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to U.S. officials, the Mexican government had issued a warrant for Diaz-Cebada’s arrest back in April. He is accused of brutally beating a government police officer to death, which is considered a very serious crime in both Mexico and the United States. The fact that he was able to repeatedly cross the U.S. border despite having been deported before raises ongoing concerns about border security and enforcement gaps.

After his latest arrest, Diaz-Cebada was taken into ICE custody. He is being held while officials prepare to deport him for a third time. Federal authorities say this case highlights how violent criminals can exploit the immigration system, even after being removed from the country more than once. The fact that Diaz-Cebada ended up in a sanctuary state where local police may not report immigration status to federal agents has added fuel to the debate over immigration policy and public safety.

Homeland Security officials emphasized that their officers face real danger when tracking down fugitives like Diaz-Cebada. They described him as a violent criminal who tried to hide in the U.S. to avoid facing justice for his alleged crimes in Mexico. One senior official said that the U.S. will not allow itself to become a hiding place for people who break the law, especially those involved in violent acts or drug trafficking.

This arrest is part of a broader effort by immigration enforcement to remove people who are considered a serious threat to public safety. Authorities made it clear that anyone entering the country illegally and committing crimes will be pursued and held accountable. They sent a message to others like Diaz-Cebada that even sanctuary policies won’t protect them from being found and removed if they are wanted for serious crimes.

Now that Diaz-Cebada is in custody again, federal officials are working on his removal while also staying in communication with Mexican authorities. His case is one more example in a growing list of high-risk individuals who, despite being deported, return to the U.S. illegally. For federal agents, the challenge is not only removing these individuals but keeping them from coming back. This case continues to draw attention to the limits of border control and the ongoing debate over how best to balance enforcement with immigration policy.