An illegal immigrant has been charged with the murder of a Maryland mother just days after Senator Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., returned from a high-profile visit to El Salvador. The murder suspect, Keycy Robinson Alexis Barrera-Rosa, a 23-year-old Guatemalan national, was arrested on April 5 in Charles County, Maryland, and formally charged with the murder of Lesbia Mileth Ramirez Guerra on April 23.
Barrera-Rosa’s Alleged Crime and Arrest
Barrera-Rosa was implicated after the body of Guerra, a LaPlata resident, was discovered buried near a state forest. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated that Barrera-Rosa would face full prosecution for the crime. His arrest comes after weeks of investigation, which revealed the tragic details of Guerra’s death.
In response to the arrest, Sen. Van Hollen commented, expressing his sympathy for Guerra’s family and emphasizing the importance of justice. “No family should have to endure the pain of being ripped apart by violence,” he said, further praising law enforcement for their efforts in the investigation.
Van Hollen’s El Salvador Trip and Political Backlash
Van Hollen’s comments come amid political controversy following his recent trip to El Salvador, which was aimed at aiding the return of a deported alleged MS-13 gang member. The visit drew harsh criticism from Republicans, who mocked his involvement in supporting the deportee’s case while violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants were rising in Maryland. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) even launched a mock tourism ad, mocking Van Hollen’s actions by referring to the Salvadoran trip as a chance for Democrats to “hang out with MS-13 gangbangers.”
Rising Violent Crime in Maryland Linked to Illegal Immigrants
The controversy surrounding Van Hollen’s trip comes as several high-profile violent crimes allegedly involving illegal immigrants have occurred in Maryland. One such case includes the murder of Rachel Morin on the Ma & Pa Trail in Bel Air, for which Victor Martinez-Hernandez was recently convicted. In addition, ICE arrested multiple illegal immigrants involved in violent crimes, such as Rene Pop-Chub, a Guatemalan national facing multiple serious charges, and Madai Gamaliel Amaya, a Honduran sex offender previously deported twice.
These incidents have fueled ongoing debates about immigration policy and the role of local, state, and federal authorities in addressing violent crime. Despite the rising concerns, Maryland Governor Wes Moore has emphasized that the state has experienced significant declines in violent crime due to coordinated efforts between local law enforcement and federal agencies.
The Importance of Cooperation in Tackling Crime
Governor Moore, in a statement to Fox News Digital, reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between federal and state law enforcement to root out violent crime and hold perpetrators accountable, regardless of their immigration status. “Our law enforcement officials work hard every day, in coordination with federal partners, to root out violent crime in our state,” Moore said, highlighting the efforts made in the case of Guerra’s murder.
The case remains under investigation, and further updates are expected as authorities continue to gather evidence and pursue justice.
