The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused Illinois officials of endangering public safety after they released a violent convict instead of cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
Shageldi Bashimov, an immigrant from Turkmenistan, was convicted of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in Chicago and sentenced to two years in prison. In May, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer request seeking custody of Bashimov, who had overstayed his visa and was considered deportable.
However, Illinois officials declined to honor the detainer, releasing Bashimov back into the community after he completed his prison sentence. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin condemned the decision in a sharply worded statement, calling it a dangerous consequence of sanctuary policies.
DHS Blames Sanctuary Policies
“Sanctuary politicians care so much about illegal aliens that they’d rather release a convicted violent felon than cooperate with federal law enforcement,” Mullin said. “These reckless sanctuary policies are only going to endanger more innocent Americans.”
Bashimov, who initially entered the U.S. legally in March 2024, became deportable after overstaying his visa. His current whereabouts are unknown.
Ongoing Immigration Conflict
The case highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration authorities and sanctuary jurisdictions that limit cooperation with ICE detainers. Illinois law restricts local law enforcement from holding individuals based solely on immigration detainer requests unless accompanied by a judicial warrant.
DHS has repeatedly warned that such policies allow dangerous criminals to avoid deportation. Several high-profile crimes committed by released immigrants have fueled national debate over sanctuary policies in recent years.
Mullin urged Illinois and other sanctuary states to reverse their policies, saying: “DHS is calling on Illinois and other sanctuary states to end this practice before any more lives are harmed.”
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/11/10/sanctuary-illinois-frees-violent-illegal-alien-convict-from-prison-despite-ice-request/