NEWYou can now hear Fox News articles. An illegal immigrant, originally from Cuba, with multiple convictions has been taken into federal custody. He spent decades evading removal due to the relaxed policies of sanctuary cities. Federal authorities announced this on Tuesday. Eledoro Vallenzuela Rodriguez, a Cuban illegal immigrant, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Florida last month. At the time, Rodriguez awaited trial on charges of cocaine with intent to sell and being a felon possessing a firearm and ammo, officials said. SLEDGEHAMMER MURDERS INSPIRES ICE MANHUNT TO FIND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SUSPECTSHe had a final order of removal against him in 1980 but remained in America after “lenient sentencing from sanctuary states New York, Maryland and other allowed this serial offender continue to prey on innocent people,” ICE stated in a press release. “Sanctuary policy protects criminals like Valenzuela Rodriquez and allows them to prey upon generations of innocent Americans,” ICE director Todd Lyons said. Fox News Digital did not receive a response from ICE. FOLLOW US ON XAuthorities stated that Rodriguez “amassed many convictions and charges,” which included arrests for possession controlled substances, marijuana, dealing cocaine and firearm possession. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAILDespite a litany of charges and previous convictions, Rodriguez has been released from jail several times while living in sanctuary city, according to federal authorities. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE US NEWS “These policies do not make communities safer,” Lyons said. “They make enforcement harder and force federal officers to more dangerous — and public — situations. ICE will continue enforcing the law, regardless local politics.” CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPIt wasn’t immediately clear if Rodriquez retained an attorney after his arrest.
