A heartbreaking incident in Charlotte, North Carolina, has reignited the debate over “sanctuary” policies following the arrest of an undocumented immigrant accused of brutally murdering two teenagers. Federal authorities argue that the tragic events could have been prevented.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer on Aristides Eli Orellana-Ramirez, a national from El Salvador, as confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Orellana-Ramirez faces charges for the deaths of 16-year-old Bravlio Galeano Ayala and 18-year-old Samir Canales Molina.

“This is yet another devastating instance of lives lost at the hands of a criminal undocumented immigrant,” stated DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “These young victims, aged just 16 and 18, had their futures cruelly cut short by someone who should never have been in our country.”

According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, the tragic shooting occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m. on December 20, 2025, in southwest Charlotte. Both teenagers succumbed to their injuries at a nearby hospital.

The Department of Homeland Security has reported that ICE has filed an “arrest detainer” for Aristides Eli Orellana-Ramirez, who is charged with the murder of two teens in Charlotte.

In a harrowing detail, investigators said the victims’ bodies were found more than 6 miles apart. Detectives believe the teens were “shot at the same location during the same incident and then traveled away from the scene in an attempt to find help.”

While the investigation remains ongoing, the case has already become a political lightning rod.

According to DHS, Orellana-Ramirez entered the U.S. illegally at an unknown date and location without inspection.

Samir Canales Molina, left, and Bravlio Galeano Ayala were killed, and DHS says sanctuary policies and ignored ICE detainers allowed a criminal illegal immigrant to remain free before the deadly attack. (Department of Homeland Security)

The killings come as federal authorities ramp up pressure on jurisdictions that refuse to honor ICE detainers, a practice DHS says allows criminal aliens to cycle back onto the streets.

ICE reported in November that local authorities across North Carolina failed to honor nearly 1,400 detainers, instead releasing criminal aliens back into communities.

ICE lodged an arrest detainer for Aristides Eli Orellana-Ramirez, an illegal alien from El Salvador charged with murdering two teenagers in Charlotte, according to DHS. (iStock)

During Operation Charlotte’s Web, Charlotte officials publicly vowed to resist immigration enforcement actions and stand up for the migrant community.

“Unfortunately, North Carolina’s sanctuary politicians often REFUSE to allow us into their jails and release these known criminals back into American communities,” McLaughlin said. “President Trump and Secretary Noem launched Operation Charlotte’s Web to target these criminals and get them out of American neighborhoods.”

Operation Charlotte’s Web deployed increased federal resources to Mecklenburg County and surrounding areas to target “high-threat” illegal aliens with violent criminal histories.