Seattle release case renews dispute over ICE detainers

ICE requests custody

DHS says Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a detainer for Leomar Alexander Lopez Zambrano, asking Seattle authorities to transfer him to federal custody after he completes a 15-month sentence rather than release him.

Zambrano is a Venezuelan national whom DHS describes as unlawfully present in the United States. He was convicted on two counts of child molestation and is approaching the end of his sentence.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Seattle officials are refusing to honor the detainer. He said DHS may not learn when Zambrano leaves local custody if officials do not communicate with ICE.

What the detainer dispute means

An ICE detainer is a federal request that another authority hold or transfer a person for immigration enforcement. In this case, ICE wants custody of Zambrano for possible deportation proceedings after his criminal sentence ends.

The request is part of a wider disagreement between the Trump administration and jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Such jurisdictions are commonly described as sanctuary cities. The immediate procedural question is whether Seattle officials will notify ICE and transfer Zambrano or release him when his sentence is complete.

Election backdrop

The dispute comes after the 2026 midterm elections, with Democrats preparing to retake majorities in the House and Senate.

Hans von Spakovsky of Advancing American Freedom told Fox News that he believes the election results will encourage sanctuary jurisdictions to resist federal immigration enforcement more forcefully. His comments describe a possible political response; the custody decision remains with the authorities handling Zambrano’s release and ICE’s request.