(U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged an ICE detainer against a 21-year-old man charged with strangling an infant with a cord in Loudoun County.) Local authorities say the child, the suspect’s baby sister, remains hospitalized in critical condition. Multiple local reports describe the suspect as an undocumented immigrant. ICE confirmed involvement by placing the detainer, which asks the local jail to hold the man for transfer to federal custody after the local case concludes.
Under a detainer, ICE requests that a jail notify the agency before release and hold the person for up to 48 hours so federal officers can take custody. The criminal case takes priority, so the suspect will first face state charges in Loudoun County. If he’s released, or after court proceedings, ICE can assume custody and may place him in removal (deportation) proceedings. Families in the community are watching closely as both the criminal case and immigration steps move forward.
Local officials have not publicly named the suspect at this time. No official ICE press release identifying the individual has been published as of September 23, 2025, though the detainer action has been confirmed in connection with the alleged attack on the infant. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, detainers are a standard tool in cases where a person in local custody is suspected of violating immigration law, especially when charged with violent crimes that draw public safety concerns.
Case facts at a glance
- Alleged crime: Charged with strangling an infant with a cord
- Victim status: Baby is in critical condition in a local hospital
- Suspect: 21-year-old man; not publicly named as of Sept. 23, 2025
- Location: Loudoun County, Northern Virginia
- Immigration action: ICE detainer placed; federal custody may follow local case
What an ICE detainer means
An ICE detainer is a formal request asking a local jail or police department to keep a person in custody for transfer to federal immigration authorities. The request is typically made using ICE’s Form I-247A Immigration Detainer – Notice of Action, which includes identifying details and instructions for notification and custody transfer.
- Official ICE resource on detainers: ICE Detainers
- Current detainer form: Form I-247A Immigration Detainer – Notice of Action
Key practical points:
1. If the suspect posts bond or finishes a sentence, the detainer tells the jail to contact ICE so agents can take custody before community release.
2. If ICE takes custody, the government can serve a Notice to Appear (Form I-862) to start removal proceedings.
3. Immigration judges (under the DOJ Executive Office for Immigration Review) decide removability and any possible relief.
Important: A detainer does not equal automatic deportation. It signals intent to take custody and begin civil immigration steps, but removal requires further legal proceedings.
Typical sequence in cases like this
- The suspect faces local criminal charges first; a judge addresses bond, trial dates, and protective orders.
- If a jail receives an ICE detainer, it can hold the person briefly after the criminal case allows release so ICE can assume custody.
- ICE may transfer the person to a federal detention center and issue charging documents for removal.
- A conviction for a violent crime can have serious immigration consequences, including mandatory detention and limited relief options.
Broader enforcement climate in Northern Virginia (2025)
- ICE arrests in Virginia exceeded 2,500 in the first five months of 2025.
- Fairfax County recorded roughly twice as many ICE arrests as any other county in that period.
- Officials say enforcement focuses on people with criminal charges, prior convictions, or those wanted for serious offenses.
- Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has publicly supported courthouse and targeted arrests as measures to protect public safety and prioritize violent crime cases.
Northern Virginia’s large immigrant communities—across Loudoun, Fairfax, and Prince William—often express worry after high-profile incidents. Faith leaders, school groups, and social service providers report an uptick in calls when a serious crime case involves immigration action. Typical community concerns include:
- Whether routine police stops could lead to deportation
- Whether ICE might appear at courthouses
- Whether posting bond could trigger a hold
Community advocates emphasize the need to separate criminal law from civil immigration enforcement, and they urge clear communication from police and courts.
Local responses, resources, and next steps
- Officials encourage the public to report tips to ICE at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or via the online portal: ICE Tip Form.
- Medical and child welfare teams are focused on the infant’s recovery while investigators gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review any digital records related to the alleged assault.
- Schools and family service groups typically offer counseling and safety planning after violent events. Legal clinics can advise mixed-status families on options if a loved one is arrested.
Legal dynamics and what to expect
- Defense attorneys commonly advise clients on both criminal and immigration tracks to protect due process rights.
- VisaVerge.com notes that people with pending criminal cases rarely see quick immigration outcomes; ICE often waits for the local case to finish because convictions can change removal grounds.
- If criminal charges are dismissed, ICE can still pursue civil immigration action, but the person may have more defenses.
- If there’s a conviction for a violent felony, immigration detention can be longer and release on bond from immigration custody harder to obtain.
Key takeaway: Two parallel threads will likely run in this case—medical care and recovery for the infant, and the separate legal processes (state criminal case and possible federal immigration action). The detainer preserves ICE’s ability to assume custody after state proceedings, but it does not replace or preempt the criminal process.
Families and neighbors are urging transparency and priority on the child’s recovery as the legal processes move forward.
This Article in a Nutshell
A 21-year-old man in Loudoun County has been charged in the alleged strangling of an infant, who remains in critical condition. ICE confirmed it lodged a detainer requesting local jailers notify ICE before release and hold the suspect up to 48 hours for potential transfer to federal custody after local criminal proceedings conclude. The criminal case proceeds first in state court; ICE’s detainer preserves the agency’s ability to assume custody and pursue removal proceedings later. Local leaders and service providers stress the need for transparency, victim support, and clear communication about how criminal and immigration tracks operate separately.
