David DePape, the man accused of violently attacking Paul Pelosi last week, was in the United States illegally and could be deported, the Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday night.
“Immigration and Customs Enforcement served an immigration detainer against Canadian citizen David DePape at the San Francisco County Jail on November 1st, following his arrest on October 28th,” the department reported.
ICE issues so-called immigration “detainers” to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to inform them that it intends to take a person into custody and so that ICE is notified before that person is released.
The detainer is unlikely to affect DePape’s case, as deportations typically occur after criminal cases are resolved. But after the conviction and prison sentence, the normal thing would be for him to be deported.
According to federal records, DePape, a Canadian citizen, entered the country in early March through the San Ysidro port of entry, which is on the California-Mexico border, as a temporary visitor. Canadians visiting the country for business or pleasure generally do not need a visa and can stay in the US for six months.