A disturbing case underscores the ongoing failures of the U.S. immigration system under lax border policies. Yordy Centeno-Melchor, a 30-year-old illegal immigrant with a criminal record spanning over a decade, was arrested on New Year’s Eve in Alabama for allegedly attempting to kidnap a teenage girl. Despite being deported six times since 2013, Centeno-Melchor managed to re-enter the United States multiple times.

According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Centeno-Melchor “has an extensive history” of illegal crossings and federal convictions for reentry. Sheriff Bill Franklin of Elmore County, Alabama, confirmed the suspect, a Mexican national, attempted to abduct the girl at a store in Holtville. He now faces a second-degree kidnapping charge with bond set at $100,000. ICE has filed an immigration detainer, requesting local authorities to hold Centeno-Melchor for deportation proceedings.

The case highlights ongoing issues with sanctuary jurisdictions, where some authorities “purposefully ignore” ICE detainers, exacerbating the border crisis. Centeno-Melchor’s history includes numerous arrests across Texas and California, federal convictions for illegal reentry, and multiple deportations. Despite these measures, he repeatedly returned to the U.S., evading border security.

Tom Homan, the incoming border czar under President-elect Donald Trump, criticized the Biden administration’s handling of immigration. He accused them of continuing to facilitate illegal entry through programs like CBP One and CHNV, saying, “They’re going to do as much damage as they can until President Trump walks back to that office.”

This case serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of weakened border enforcement and the urgent need for robust policies to protect American communities.