Federal officials have confirmed that an illegal immigrant released from jail by a “sanctuary city” and later charged with a triple murder was a “Dreamer” protected from deportation.

Luis Rodrigo Perez, a 23-year-old Mexican national, was given two-year Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status in 2012 and 2014. It was unclear if he sought it in 2016.

“The illegal alien who murdered three people after he was released from a New Jersey county jail was a DACA recipient in 2012 and 2014, as confirmed by ICE,” tweeted the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for reforms focused on legal immigration.



"Perez had previously been a recipient of the Deferred Action for Child Arrivals program, or DACA, in 2012 and 2014. It's not clear whether he did not apply in 2016 or was no longer eligible." https://t.co/QWZZ668hPk — Mark Krikorian (@MarkSKrikorian) November 13, 2018



It cited a Springfield, Mo., News-Leader story that quoted a top Immigration and Customs Enforcement official on the DACA status of Perez.

Despite the administration’s opposition, House Democrats are expected to push for continued recognition of DACA “Dreamers” when they take power in January.

ICE said that Perez was let go from a New Jersey jail because the facility does not respect ICE requests for prisoners who are illegal immigrants. ICE sought Perez in December, but he was released and ICE was notified.

“Had ICE’s detainer request in December 2017 been honored by Middlesex County Jail, Luis Rodrigo Perez would have been placed in deportation proceedings and likely sent home to his country – and three innocent people might be alive today. It is past time that localities realize the perils of dangerous sanctuary policies and resume their primary goal of protecting their residents," said ICE Acting Executive Associate Director Corey Price in a statement.

Perez has been charged with three murders in Springfield, Mo., two during a shootout on Nov. 1 and a third the next day.

Since President Trump’s moved into the White House, ICE and the Justice Department have stepped up efforts to end sanctuary city policies. But over 300 continue to exist, many in big cities in New York, New Jersey, and California.