An undocumented immigrant in Minnesota has been charged with vehicular homicide in an incident that has intensified tensions between federal and local governments over immigration enforcement. The disagreement focuses on the handling of the accused, German Adriano Llangari Inga, who remains at large after allegedly causing a fatal accident, Fox News reported.
The Trump Administration has criticized Minnesota officials for not holding Llangari in custody, citing the failure to honor an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer request.
The case began in August 2024 when Llangari, who is from Ecuador, was accused of driving under the influence and causing a crash that killed Victoria Eileen Harwell. Harwell's teenage daughter and sister also sustained injuries in the incident, and Llangari was charged with several felonies, including criminal vehicular homicide.
Following Llangari's arrest, ICE placed a detainer with the Hennepin County Jail, requesting that authorities notify the agency before releasing him. However, local officials released Llangari on August 6, 2024, merely two days after the ICE detainer was submitted, without alerting federal authorities. This allowed him to avoid further custody, prompting criticism from the White House.
The decision by local authorities stems from guidance set forth by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. This directive states that local law enforcement cannot hold individuals based solely on ICE administrative detainers without a judicially signed warrant. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Department followed this guidance, which prevented them from complying with ICE's request.
White House Principal Deputy Communications Director Alex Pfeiffer expressed discontent, stating that "an illegal immigrant" remains "on the run" due to the actions of Minnesota officials. Pfeiffer pointed out that the Trump Administration is taking measures to ensure sanctuary jurisdictions are held accountable for not protecting residents.
In response to incidents like Llangari's release, President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at penalizing sanctuary jurisdictions. These penalties could include the withholding of federal funds if local authorities do not amend their immigration policies accordingly.
Despite the federal stance, local officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, argue that there should be a clear division between local and federal law enforcement responsibilities. Frey reiterated that Minneapolis has an ordinance prohibiting police and other public officials from inquiring about an individual's documentation status.
Frey emphasized that the city does "not enforce federal immigration law," which aligns with Minnesota's state laws and existing protocols. These laws serve to deter racial profiling and encourage community cooperation with law enforcement without fear of immigration consequences.
Rep. Ilhan Omar and State Sen. Omar Fateh are Minnesota officials defending the state's sanctuary laws. Omar extended a message of solidarity to undocumented immigrants, acknowledging their concerns amidst the intense scrutiny from the Trump Administration.
State Sen. Fateh highlighted the level of anxiety within immigrant communities, stating that the "fear of ICE raids is very real." According to Fateh, the vigilance among residents reflects the impact of the federal government's stance on asylum seekers and undocumented individuals.
Meanwhile, ICE continues its efforts to apprehend Llangari, stressing the importance of cooperation between federal and local law enforcement in maintaining public safety. An ICE spokesperson reiterated the agency's priority to detain Llangari following the vehicular homicide charge.
The incident underscores the broader nationwide debate over the responsibilities of both local and federal authorities in immigration enforcement. With ongoing discussions and differing policies across jurisdictions, the discourse remains contentious, filled with legal and ethical complexities.
