A recent case out of Charlotte, North Carolina, is raising serious questions about how local governments are handling illegal immigration—and what it means for the safety of American families. A mother is speaking out after her 13-year-old daughter was allegedly targeted by a man who turned out to be an illegal immigrant from Costa Rica. The man, Jordan Renato Castillo-Chavez, 29, was arrested on sex offense charges but later released by local authorities without notifying federal immigration agents. This decision, made under so-called “sanctuary” policies, has sparked national concern.
The girl’s mother, Misha Rose, was shocked to learn that the man accused of preying on her child was an illegal immigrant who should have been turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Speaking through tears, she said, “It’s hurtful that my child is a victim and they had this person and let him go.” Her words reflect a growing frustration among parents and citizens who feel that local officials are putting politics ahead of public safety.
In March, police in Pineville, a suburb of Charlotte, arrested Castillo-Chavez after he allegedly began messaging the teenager online. He was charged with “indecent liberties” with a minor and other offenses. Text messages and photos reportedly showed that the man had made plans to meet the girl in person. But despite the serious nature of the charges, Castillo-Chavez was allowed to post bond and walk free.
This is where the national security issue comes into focus. Normally, when an illegal immigrant is arrested for a crime, ICE can file what’s called a “detainer.” This is a legal request asking local jails to notify federal authorities before releasing the suspect. That gives ICE time to take custody and begin deportation proceedings. But in this case, local authorities say ICE didn’t file a formal detainer—only a request for advance notice. Because of that, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office claims they were under no legal obligation to hold the suspect or alert federal agents.
This kind of legal gray area is exactly what sanctuary policies create. By refusing to fully cooperate with federal immigration law, local governments are allowing dangerous individuals to slip through the cracks. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Castillo-Chavez is just one of roughly 1,400 cases in Charlotte alone where local police ignored or failed to honor immigration holds.
President Trump’s administration has responded by launching a federal crackdown in the area. Over the past weekend, Border Patrol agents were deployed to Charlotte to clean up what officials are calling a “public safety crisis.” More than 200 illegal immigrants with criminal records have been arrested so far in this targeted operation. The goal, according to federal officials, is to restore law and order in places where sanctuary policies have created breakdowns in enforcement.
“Americans should be able to live without fear of violent criminal illegal aliens hurting them, their families, or their neighbors,” said Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. She added that President Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem are stepping in where local leaders have failed.
The broader national security concern here is clear: when cities and counties decide to ignore federal law, they create safe havens for criminals who should not be in the country in the first place. This not only undermines immigration enforcement, it puts American citizens—especially children—at risk.
For decades, the United States has struggled with how to balance immigration with safety and sovereignty. But letting known offenders walk free is not a policy—it’s a failure of duty. Sanctuary cities may claim the moral high ground, but the real cost is paid by families like Misha Rose’s.
As the Trump administration continues to enforce immigration law and protect American communities, this case will serve as a sobering example of what happens when local officials choose ideology over security. In the end, no parent should have to live in fear that the government won’t protect their child from someone who should never have been here to begin with.