DOJ investigates Tompkins County sheriff over migrant release

The U.S. Justice Department is considering prosecuting the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office after it released Jesus Romero-Hernandez, a 27-year-old Mexican migrant, despite a federal warrant for his arrest. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove criticized the sheriff's office, labeling it a 'sanctuary city' that endangered law enforcement by not detaining Romero-Hernandez, who has a history of violence and illegal reentry. Tompkins County officials defended their actions, stating they had notified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement about the man's pending release and that federal agents failed to pick him up in time. The back-and-forth highlights tensions between local policies and federal immigration enforcement, with Bove emphasizing the Justice Department's commitment to protecting law enforcement safety. Romero-Hernandez was eventually arrested by federal authorities after his release. This incident underscores ongoing debates over sanctuary policies and their implications for public safety and immigration enforcement.