Obama Judge Orders Release of 4 Illegal Aliens Convicted of Violent Crimes From ICE Custody

A federal judge in Louisiana has ordered the release of four illegal aliens with prior convictions for murder and sex crimes from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, according to the Department of Homeland Security, as reported by Fox News.

On Feb. 6, Judge John deGravelles, an appointee of former President Barack Obama who serves on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, granted the four defendants release from ICE custody, DHS said.

The four individuals had final orders of removal issued years ago, some dating back decades.

Federal Judge releases four illegal immigrants convicted of murder, sex crimes from ICE Custody https://t.co/SDRrpWqbxx

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“The ramifications will only be the continued rape, murder, assault, and robbery of more American victims,” Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

“Releasing these monsters is inexcusably reckless. President Trump and Secretary Noem are now enforcing the law and arresting illegal aliens who have no right to be in our country.”

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“We are applying the law as written,” McLaughlin added. “If an immigration judge finds an illegal alien has no right to be in this country, we are going to remove them. Period.”

One of the individuals, Ibrahim Ali Mohammed, an Ethiopian citizen, was convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor. An immigration judge issued a final order of removal for Mohammed on Sept. 5, 2024.

DHS said he had previously been released into the United States by the Biden administration.

Another defendant, Luis Gaston-Sanchez of Cuba, has convictions that include homicide, assault, resisting an officer, concealing stolen property, and two counts of robbery.

An immigration judge issued a deportation order for Gaston-Sanchez on Sept. 24, 2001.

Ricardo Blanco Chomat, also a Cuban citizen, has a criminal record that includes convictions for homicide, kidnapping, aggravated assault with a firearm, burglary, robbery, larceny, and selling cocaine.

A deportation order for Blanco Chomat was issued on March 27, 2002.

The fourth defendant, Francisco Rodriguez-Romero, was previously convicted of homicide and a weapons offense. He was ordered deported on May 30, 1995.

All four were being held in ICE custody prior to the court’s order earlier this month.

In September 2025, DHS announced a partnership with the state of Louisiana to expand ICE detention space at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, commonly known as Angola Prison.

The facility has been referred to as the “Louisiana Lockup” and houses criminal illegal aliens arrested by ICE.

The releases come as President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have emphasized enforcement of immigration laws and the removal of individuals with final orders of deportation.

DHS has not provided details about the legal basis cited in Judge deGravelles’ ruling, and Fox News Digital has reached out to the Middle District Court of Louisiana for comment.

The case highlights ongoing disputes between federal courts and immigration enforcement officials over detention authority and deportation procedures involving individuals with criminal convictions and longstanding removal orders.

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