Judge John deGravelles, an Obama-appointed judge serving on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, approved the release of the four individuals despite each having long-standing final deportation orders, some dating back decades, DHS confirmed.
The federal judge in Louisiana ordered the release of four illegal immigrants with extensive criminal histories — including convictions for murder and child sex offenses — from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody earlier this month, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin sharply criticized the ruling, warning of serious public safety consequences. “The ramifications will only be the continued rape, murder, assault, and robbery of more American victims,” said Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “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.”
McLaughlin added that the administration intends to strictly follow existing immigration statutes. “We are applying the law as written,” she added. “If an immigration judge finds an illegal alien has no right to be in this country, we are going to remove them. Period.”
Fox News reports that among those released was Ibrahim Ali Mohammed, an Ethiopian national convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor. An immigration judge issued a final removal order for Mohammed on Sept. 5, 2024. DHS stated he was previously released into the U.S. during the Biden administration.
Another individual, Luis Gaston-Sanchez of Cuba, has a criminal record that includes convictions for homicide, assault, resisting an officer, concealing stolen property, and two robbery charges. He received a final deportation order on Sept. 24, 2001.
Ricardo Blanco Chomat, also a Cuban citizen, has been convicted of multiple serious crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, aggravated assault with a firearm, burglary, robbery, larceny, and selling cocaine. Immigration authorities ordered his removal on March 27, 2002.
The fourth individual, Francisco Rodriguez-Romero, was previously convicted of homicide and a weapons offense. He was ordered deported on May 30, 1995.
In September 2025, DHS announced a partnership with the state of Louisiana to increase ICE detention capacity at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, commonly known as Angola Prison. The expanded facility — referred to as the “Louisiana Lockup” — currently holds some of the criminal illegal immigrants arrested by ICE.
