Emerald Coast Times

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) sent a letter to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to demand answers regarding Byron Pineda, an illegal alien wanted by ICE, who is accused of killing a constituent in Northwest Florida after the department ignored an initial request for answers.

On February 22nd, 2024, Rep. Gaetz sent a request for information to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and ICE Director Patrick Lechleitner regarding Mr. Pineda being jailed for driving on a suspended license and fatally striking a motorcyclist in Northwest Florida. On March 8th, ICE’s Office of Congressional Relations Acting Assistant Director Sean Hackbarth refused to respond with relevant information and requested Rep. Gaetz, who sits on a committee with jurisdiction over immigration policies and crime, obtain a privacy waiver signed by Mr. Pineda in order to review the records of his arrests.

In response to ICE's request for a privacy waiver, Congressman Gaetz expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, "The quick turnaround suggests that perhaps the response was in error, because it is both legally inappropriate and tone-deaf to recommend that a member of Congress seek a Privacy Act waiver from an illegal alien who murdered a constituent of mine." Gaetz reiterated his questions regarding Byron Pineda's entry into the country, reasons for his presence, crimes he is wanted for by ICE, and the potential deportation timeline if convicted in Florida.

Gaetz emphasized the importance of receiving appropriate responses, mentioning, "Finally, possible responses to these questions include statements of Departmental policy: it cannot be the case that if I ask the Department of Defense 'what are you going to do about an attack on U.S. servicemembers,' that an adequate response might be 'explaining what we are going to do will violate the rights of those who died, or those who carried out the attack.'"

Sincerely,

Matt Gaetz

Member of Congress