A 23-year-old illegal immigrant was arrested for allegedly murdering his 18-year-old girlfriend just weeks after his release by U.S. border agents, according to a report from The Daily Wire. 

Gerber Luis Sanchez-Centeno entered the U.S. illegally in June and was placed in a GPS monitoring program but absconded in August. Sanchez-Centeno reportedly murdered Dania Cruz-Mejia, a recent immigrant studying cosmetology. Her body was found in her home on September 18. 

Sanchez-Centeno was arrested two days later and charged with first-degree murder, in Maryland.

Sanchez-Centeno’s case has raised significant concerns regarding border control and immigration policies. After entering the United States illegally, he was monitored by GPS following his release from immigration custody. However, he managed to evade authorities, highlighting potential weaknesses in the monitoring systems designed to track illegal immigrants. 

The tragic death of Cruz-Mejia has sparked outrage and demands for justice, especially from communities advocating for stricter immigration laws. Advocates argue that Sanchez-Centeno’s alleged crime underscores the risks posed by releasing undocumented immigrants without adequate supervision. 

The case has reignited debates on the effectiveness of current policies and the importance of ensuring that individuals with violent tendencies do not remain at large.

As the investigation continues, local law enforcement and immigration authorities are facing scrutiny over their procedures. Sanchez-Centeno has been charged with first-degree murder and remains in custody. 

Cruz-Mija is one of the growing number of young women killed at the hands of illegal immigrants. Rachel Morin, a young mother, was reportedly murdered on a hiking trail in Maryland by an illegal immigrant. 

The most prominent story of 2024 regarding the death of an American at the hands of an illegal immigrant is 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley’s death. Riley was found dead with visible injuries in a forest near the University of Georgia campus. Jose Antonio Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, was arrested and charged with Riley’s murder. 

This piece first appeared at TPUSA.