EXCLUSIVE: Illegal Alien Charged With Child Sexual Abuse Faces ICE Detainer

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer against an
illegal alien from El Salvador who was wanted on rape and child sexual
abuse charges, Townhall has first learned. However, a newer Maryland
law, known as the "Community Trust Act," could make honoring that
detainer more difficult, as it limits how local authorities can interact
with federal immigration enforcement. 

Yerlis Efrain Alvarez-Alvarez was arrested by law enforcement in Harford
County, Maryland, on June 5, after being federally ordered to leave the
country in February 2019. He came to the United States through Texas in
2016, but he was allowed to go free under the Obama administration,
according to the Department of Homeland Security. 

DHS said in a press release that he is specifically facing three counts
per charge for “second-degree rape, sexual abuse of a
minor-household/family member,” as well as “third-degree sex offense.” 

He is in custody at the Harford County Detention Center. A detainer aims
to close any possible gap created if an individual were to be released
from custody at the local level. 

“This criminal illegal alien from El Salvador is charged with rape and
sexual abuse of a child,” Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in
a statement. "We hope Harford County, Maryland will cooperate with ICE
and will turn him over to ICE custody after he faces justice, so that he
cannot threaten or harm another innocent child." 

“Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, we will NOT allow child
predators to be loose in American neighborhoods,” Bis added. 

Yerlis Efrain Alvarez-AlvarezYerlis Efrain Alvarez-Alvarez was arrested
by law enforcement on June 5, 2026. (United States Department of
Homeland Security) 

The individual's arrest came after a yearlong investigation with federal
and local officials, according to the United States Marshals Service on
June 10. 

“As alleged, Yerlis Efrain Alvarez Alvarez preyed on children and other
vulnerable members of our community, carrying out sexual assaults that
shatter the sense of safety every family deserves,” Special Agent in
Charge Akil Baldwin for Homeland Security Investigations Maryland said
in a statement. 

Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler has been at the helm of a lawsuit
with other sheriffs and the Federation for American Immigration Reform
(FAIR) against the state of Maryland over the “Community Trust Act." 

Cristie Hopkins, Director of Media and Public Relations for Harford
County Sheriff’s Office, told Townhall that “based on a law passed at
the end of the most recent MD legislative session, [the department is]
prohibited from communicating with ICE.” 

“Sheriff Gahler has been very vocal with his opposition and is the lead
plaintiff in a lawsuit looking to restore our ability to cooperate with
ICE," Hopkins continued. 

The lawsuit, filed in May, argues that the law poses a major public
hazard. 

“This legislation is not about trust, and it’s certainly not about
supporting the law-abiding members of our community. It is an
intentional state-mandated obstruction of public safety,” Gahler said at
the time, Maryland Matters reported. 

The “Community Trust Act” became law by automatic passage without Gov.
Wes Moore’s (D-MD) final signature, according to WYPR. The Democrat was
generally supportive of the legislation, but said that he wants certain
elements to “be addressed through executive action and in next year’s
legislative session,” according to the outlet. 

The law was vocally supported by liberal groups like the American Civil
Liberties Union. 

“This law begins to put meaningful limits on a system that has too often
criminalized immigrant communities, fueled racial injustice, and torn
families apart,” Yanet Amanuel, Public Policy Director at the ACLU of
Maryland, said in a May statement. 

“It is the result of years of courageous organizing by directly impacted
people and advocates across the state who refused to accept fear and
exclusion as public policy. Their leadership changed Maryland for the
better,” Amanuel added. 

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/cameron-arcand/2026/06/12/exclusive-illegal
-alien-charged-with-child-sexual-abuse-faces-ice-detainer-n2677669