Salvadoran Man Deported After Rape Conviction in Maryland

ICE removes illegal immigrant a year after his assault and rape charges in Frederick County

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A 29-year-old Salvadoran man who illegally entered the United States in 2021 has been deported from the country a year after his conviction in Maryland on rape and assault charges. Ruben Alonso Hernandez-Lainez was convicted last year of second-degree assault and second-degree rape in Frederick County and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The new Maryland law banning 287(g) agreements has drawn criticism from some sheriffs who say it will make it harder to remove dangerous criminals from their communities.

The details

Hernandez-Lainez was initially encountered by Border Patrol near Hidalgo, Texas in 2022, but was released due to federal policies at the time. He was later arrested in 2023 in Frederick, Maryland on the rape and assault charges, for which he was convicted and sentenced. ICE agents then arrested him at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center, taking advantage of the existing 287(g) agreement between ICE and the county before the new Maryland law took effect.

  • Hernandez-Lainez illegally entered the U.S. in 2021.
  • He was encountered by Border Patrol near Hidalgo, Texas in 2022.
  • Hernandez-Lainez was arrested and convicted in Frederick County, Maryland in 2023.
  • He was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2023.
  • Hernandez-Lainez was deported from the U.S. on January 30, 2026.

The players

Ruben Alonso Hernandez-Lainez

A 29-year-old Salvadoran man who illegally entered the United States in 2021 and was convicted of rape and assault charges in Maryland.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that arrested and deported Hernandez-Lainez after his conviction in Maryland.

Frederick County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that cooperated with ICE to arrest Hernandez-Lainez under the 287(g) agreement, which has since been banned by the state of Maryland.

Maryland Legislature

Passed a new law banning 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement and ICE, drawing criticism from some sheriffs who say it will make it harder to remove dangerous criminals.

Governor Wes Moore

Signed the legislation banning 287(g) agreements, saying it defends rights and constitutional policing.

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What they’re saying

“ICE could only arrest and remove this criminal illegal alien thanks to our 287(g) partnership with Frederick County. It's profoundly disappointing that since then, the Maryland Legislature is trying to undermine this critical law enforcement relationship between state and local police and ICE. These partnerships keep rapists and public safety threats like Hernandez out of our communities.”

— Charles Wall, ICE Deputy Director (wbal.com)

“We want to work closely with ICE. We want to transfer (people) over in a safe, secure environment that is our detention centers. Our program in Frederick County of 18 years was an effective program. We deported criminals, we worked with ICE without one single complaint of profiling or discrimination. It was a seamless, safe program (in which) we turn criminals over to ICE in our jail with no threat to the public, to the officers or the detainee. This is unbelievable that they would think this way and we're going to do everything we can to fight against it.”

— Chuck Jenkins, Frederick County Sheriff (wbal.com)

“This is nothing more than politics over public safety, and we as elected sheriffs are fed up with it. We have to come together in unison to stop the ridiculousness that's going on up here in Annapolis, Maryland. Lawmakers need to wake up and realize Marylanders and the American people want public safety over politics, and they're not getting it.”

— Mike Lewis, Wicomico County Sheriff (wbal.com)

What’s next

The new Maryland law banning 287(g) agreements is expected to face legal challenges from sheriffs who argue it will make it harder to remove dangerous criminals from their communities.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement, local law enforcement cooperation, and protecting the rights of immigrants. The debate over the new Maryland law banning 287(g) agreements reflects the broader national discussion around balancing public safety and immigrant rights.