Just days after Sen. Chris Van Hollen returned from a visit to El Salvador aimed at helping a deported MS-13 suspect, an illegal immigrant has been charged with murder in Maryland

On April 5, ICE arrested 23-year-old Guatemalan national Keycy Robinson Alexis Barrera-Rosa in Charles County. His arrest came after the body of Lesbia Mileth Ramirez Guerra was found buried near a state forest. He was officially charged with her murder on April 23.

ICE confirmed the arrest and charges, saying Barrera-Rosa will be “fully prosecuted” for the crime.

Van Hollen, who had been facing criticism from Republicans for his Central America trip, responded after press time when asked about violent crimes linked to illegal immigrants, according to the New York Post. He said, “with federal and state leaders working together, we’ve made strategic investments in public safety that have helped reduce violent crime across Maryland for three years in a row.”

“But more needs to be done – because no family should have to endure the pain of being ripped apart by violence. We will continue working to fight crime in all its forms and build a stronger, safer Maryland,” he added.

On the Guerra case specifically, the senator said, “I cannot imagine the grief and pain that the family of Ms. Guerra is feeling right now.”

“I thank all of those in law enforcement who have been part of the extensive search effort and investigation,” he continued.

“Now, Ms. Guerra’s family and friends, and our community, will see her suspected killer and anyone involved in this crime face justice in a court of law.”

While Democrats like Van Hollen focus on immigration policy and aid efforts, Republican critics have gone on the offensive. The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a spoof tourism ad attacking Democrats for what they claim is soft handling of MS-13 and illegal immigration. The ad suggests their trip should be “one-way.”

Maryland has recently seen a number of serious crimes linked to illegal immigrants. In one high-profile case, Victor Martinez-Hernandez was found guilty of murdering Rachel Morin on the Ma & Pa Trail in Bel Air. Her mother, Patty Morin, later addressed the press from the White House, condemning Van Hollen for going to El Salvador instead of focusing on crime at home.

Van Hollen called what happened to the Morin family “awful and unacceptable” during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.”

Around the same time as the Guerra case, ICE also arrested Rene Pop-Chub, another Guatemalan national, in Hyattsville. He had outstanding charges for murder, assault, and reckless endangerment and was the subject of a detainer that local authorities ignored.

ICE Baltimore Acting Field Office Director Nikita Baker said in a statement, “The arrest of Rene Pop-Chub underscores the critical importance of cooperation between federal and local counterparts.”

ICE also highlighted the arrest of Madai Gamaliel Amaya, a previously deported Honduran national, in Montgomery Village. According to the agency, this marked the 153rd arrest of a noncitizen sex offender in Maryland during the 2024 fiscal year. Amaya had previously been deported in 2013 and 2018, and was first arrested in the state in 2009 for second-degree rape.

Despite the uptick in such arrests and convictions, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said that crime has been going down across the state.

“Our law enforcement officials work hard every day, in coordination with federal partners, to root out violent crime in our state. This is exactly what happened in this case, and what we do every day to keep Marylanders safe – hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes, regardless of immigration status,” Moore said, referring to the Guerra case.