Illegal Guatemalan migrant arrested for alleged fatal stabbing at Days Inn in Florida

WILDWOOD, Fla. (TND) — Florida police arrested an undocumented Guatemalan immigrant Saturday for allegedly stabbing another illegal Guatemalan immigrant at a Days Inn location.

Officers had arrived to the Wildwood hotel earlier that day and seen Bilder Pablo in need of life-saving measures, according to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. Pablo died from his injuries after being airlifted to a Gainesville, Florida hospital.

Ricardo Agustin Lorenzo, accused of stabbing Pablo, was found hiding in the wood line along Interstate 75 following the incident and then apprehended, according to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. He is charged with second degree murder and is currently being held without bond.

The Sumter County Jail contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to place a detainer on Lorenzo, according to authorities.

In February, Florida police arrested an undocumented Guatemalan migrant for an alleged hit-and-run that left the victim with a compound fracture. Jose Garcia-Perez was purportedly under the influence when Lady Lake police apprehended him after the crash.

Customs and Border Protection has had roughly 145,000 encounters with Guatemalan migrants at the southern border this fiscal year, according to ICE data.

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Last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis denounced President Joe Biden’s handling of the border as he signed bills aimed at combatting illegal immigration.

“The federal government has failed in its responsibility to secure our southern border, leaving states to fend for themselves,” Gov. DeSantis said. “In Florida, we do not tolerate illegal immigration, let alone lawlessness committed by illegal aliens who shouldn’t be here in the first place."

One of the enacted laws enhanced penalties for crimes committed by migrants who returned to the U.S. illegally after an initial deportation. Another prevented counties from accepting ID cards issued to illegal immigrants by other jurisdictions.

“Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has provided a blueprint for other states to protect their citizens against illegal immigration,” Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez stated. “Our administration will not stand on the sidelines and watch as the Biden Border Crisis continues to spiral out of control.”

Biden has urged Congress to deliver legislation providing aid for the border, arguing lawmakers would be able to deliver more effective solutions than executive action.

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