WASHINGTON, D.C. February 12, 2026 – The White House shared a post on X emphasizing the role of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in public safety, spotlighting a recent arrest in North Carolina.
According to the official White House account (@WhiteHouse), an undocumented immigrant (described as an “illegal alien”) was taken into custody for the sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old girl. The post states that local North Carolina authorities had previously disregarded an ICE detainer request, allowing the individual to be released before the alleged crime occurred or before further action could be taken.
The message reads in part:
“An illegal alien was arrested for the sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old girl—after North Carolina authorities ignored an ICE detainer. ICE works tirelessly every day to remove predators like this from our streets. This is OUR WHY.”
The post, accompanied by a short video clip (approximately 100 seconds long), has garnered significant engagement, including thousands of likes, reposts, and views within hours of its publication on February 12, 2026.
The White House framed the incident as a key justification for strengthened immigration enforcement and cooperation between federal and local agencies on detainer requests. ICE detainers are formal notices asking local jails to hold individuals for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release so federal immigration officers can assume custody.
Public reactions on X were polarized. Supporters praised ICE’s efforts and called for stricter compliance with detainers, with some users arguing that honoring such requests could prevent similar crimes. Critics and opposing commenters questioned the focus of the post, shared counter-examples involving other high-profile cases, or called for broader accountability measures unrelated to immigration.
No additional official details—such as the name of the suspect, the specific county in North Carolina, the exact charges (beyond “sexual exploitation”), or the timeline of events—were provided in the White House post or immediately available public records referenced in related discussions.
This case highlights ongoing debates about sanctuary policies, detainer compliance, and the intersection of local law enforcement with federal immigration priorities under the current administration.
Life News Agency will continue monitoring for any official updates from ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, or North Carolina authorities regarding this matter.
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