A Fox News anchor questioned Todd Lyons about the release of a 23-year-old illegal alien with a lengthy criminal record who was later arrested for murder, focusing on the role of local law enforcement, ICE detainers, and sanctuary policies.

The Fox News anchor identified the suspect as Marvin Morales Ortez, an illegal alien from El Salvador, and detailed the sequence of events that led to his release and subsequent rearrest.

“Illegal immigrant, 23 year old man, Marvin Morales Ortez. This one is from El Salvador. He was in custody on a Tuesday of malicious wounding and brandishing firearms, but then local police released him. There he is, young man. The next day, on Wednesday, there’s a murder scene, and they arrest him again,” the anchor said.

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The anchor said Morales Ortez had an extensive criminal history and was released shortly before being connected to another violent crime.

“He’s got a lengthy record Todd, at least seven crimes he’s accused of, and then he’s released within hours before you know, officials say that he got up into a mess again,” the anchor said.

The anchor then cited a statement from the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, which placed responsibility on ICE for not taking further action to keep Morales Ortez in custody.

“This is the quote from the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office. This is what they’re telling us. In this instance, ice was aware of Morales or tests incarcer nation, incarcerated incarceration and elected not to seek a judicial warrant to ensure that he remained in custody accordingly and consistent with our policies and the law. Once the court issued an order dismissing the cases, Mr. Morales or test was released, sounds like they’re throwing this back on you guys. On ICE,” the anchor said.

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Lyons disputed that explanation, saying local authorities misunderstood immigration law and failed to cooperate with ICE.

“Yeah, And the whole problem is, I said, unfortunately, they don’t understand immigration law, right? We don’t need a judicial warrant. Our ice detainer is just enough for them to hold him and turn him over to us,” Lyons said.

Lyons said local officials instead followed sanctuary policies, which he argued led directly to the suspect’s release and the subsequent killing.

“But instead, they want to go ahead and lead him to sign a sanctuary policies, and now he allegedly committed another murder,” Lyons said.

Lyons said Morales Ortez had already been arrested for serious violent offenses and should not have been released without conditions.

“So we have this individual. They already arrested him for brandishing a firearm, so he was already arrested for aggravated assault. So why they would want to release him anyways, with no bond or no restrictions, is just ridiculous,” Lyons said.

Lyons added that local officials later realized the decision was a mistake.

“And then he’s found out another murder scene the next day, actually, that day, the clinicians at Fairfax County deemed him a public safety risk, and they were out looking for him because they realized those mistakes release him,” Lyons said.

Lyons said the situation could have been avoided if local authorities had transferred Morales Ortez to ICE custody.

“Had they done that, he would have already been in ICE custody. Had they turned him over so instead, here we have another instance of an American losing their lives because of sanctuary policies,” Lyons said.

The Fox News anchor asked Lyons what prevents cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and ICE.

“What would motivate these law enforcement agencies to help you? I mean, it seems like it just keeps happening over and over again, day in and day out. Are they do they even want to work with you? Have you reached out to some of these folks? I mean, or is it local politicians putting pressure on them,” the anchor said.

Lyons responded that frontline officers generally support cooperation, but political leadership blocks it.

“No, you know what it is, is the rank and file members of almost every law enforcement agency in this country wants to work with ice. They have great relationships with us. We have Task Force officers from their agency,” Lyons said.

Lyons said elected officials prioritize sanctuary policies over public safety, with deadly consequences.

“It’s elected officials that decide to put the safety of public, you know, public safety ahead of, you know, sanctuary policies, and it’s ridiculous, and it’s actually causing lives,” Lyons said.

Lyons said such cases continue to occur and described the situation as preventable.

“And there’s just more and more of these stories, and it’s heartbreaking because my, you know, my, my thoughts and prayers go out to that family, because this was an incident that could have been avoided, and that’s what ice is here for,” Lyons said.

Lyons said ICE’s mission is focused on public safety and requires cooperation from local jurisdictions.

“That’s what ICE’s law enforcement mission is, and where we want to make America safe again, we just need these sanctuary jurisdiction politicians to work with us,” Lyons said.

The Fox News anchor closed the segment by noting the frequency of similar cases.

“And we keep seeing these stories pop up. It doesn’t seem like there’s going to be any change anytime soon. Todd, good to see you. Have a great Christmas,” the anchor said.

WATCH:

HOLY CRAP! Democrat-controlled Virginia police have RELEASED a illegal alien m*rderer from El Salvador, but are now BLAMING ICE

He committed the m*rder *ONE DAY* after being released

“At least 7 crimes. Released – within hours he got up into a mess AGAIN.”

This is TREASON! pic.twitter.com/msyMaQ4vpS

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 22, 2025

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