U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a statement following a deadly crash in Illinois that claimed the lives of Michael and Gail Clayton, a local Coles County couple. The driver, identified as Edwin Pacheco-Meza, a 34-year-old undocumented immigrant from Honduras, is accused of causing the fatal collision while driving under the influence.
Authorities reported finding drugs, an open alcohol container, ammunition, and an extended magazine inside the vehicle at the time of the crash. Pacheco-Meza now faces charges of reckless homicide and DUI, while his passenger, Juan Morales-Martinez, an 18-year-old undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, is charged with drug possession and weapons offenses.
Both men were arrested by local law enforcement, and ICE lodged a detainer request with the Clark County Jail. However, the request was not honored because of Illinois’ sanctuary state policies. ICE later confirmed that Morales-Martinez was taken into federal custody on October 27.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the incident, saying, “Two innocents were killed because this criminal illegal alien chose to drive under the influence. Anyone who is in the U.S. illegally and thinks they can roam free while breaking our laws and harming Americans is in for a rude awakening. We will find you, arrest you, remove you — and you will never return.”
Federal officials said Morales-Martinez illegally entered the U.S. in December 2023 and was later released under the previous administration, while Pacheco-Meza’s date of entry remains unknown.
The crash has reignited debate over sanctuary policies, which restrict cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have criticized these policies, arguing that they endanger public safety by allowing undocumented immigrants accused of crimes to remain in communities rather than being detained for deportation.
ICE officials reaffirmed their commitment to enforcing federal immigration laws and said they will continue to act independently of state sanctuary policies to protect the public.
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