Heinous Crime Exposes Sanctuary State Nightmare

A previously deported illegal immigrant charged with raping an autistic 14-year-old girl in California faces potential release from custody despite federal authorities calling it the most heinous case they’ve witnessed, exposing the deadly consequences of sanctuary state policies that prioritize criminal aliens over American safety.

Story Snapshot

Mexican national Enrique Bautista-Vasquez, 20, charged with raping and sodomizing autistic teenager in Cathedral City after being released by Biden administration just days before Trump’s inauguration
DHS lodged ICE detainer but cannot guarantee California will honor it, citing Governor Newsom’s history of releasing 3,700 violent criminal illegal immigrants back into communities
Suspect was deported December 16, 2024, illegally reentered January 2, 2025, and allegedly committed heinous crime against vulnerable child within weeks
Police discovered bloodied bedsheets, fraudulent documents including stolen Social Security card, and evidence suspect lured victim from college campus to his home

Biden Administration’s Release Enabled Horrific Attack

Enrique Bautista-Vasquez entered the United States illegally on January 2, 2025, just 17 days after being deported with a final removal order. The Biden administration released him into the interior of the country mere days before President Trump’s inauguration on January 20. This decision directly enabled the December 31 assault on a vulnerable autistic teenager who was known to wander due to her condition. The suspect encountered the 14-year-old girl on a college campus, lured her to his residence, and allegedly raped and sodomized her according to Cathedral City police and DHS officials.

Evidence and Charges Paint Disturbing Picture

Cathedral City police arrested Bautista-Vasquez and charged him with rape, lewd acts with a minor under 14, and sexual assault with enhancements for a non-consenting and vulnerable victim. Investigators discovered bloodied bedsheets at his residence along with women’s boots and fraudulent identification documents. Among the fake documents were a stolen Texas Social Security card and a counterfeit permanent residency card, demonstrating the suspect’s pattern of deception and criminal behavior. The physical evidence corroborates the victim’s account and underscores the violent nature of the attack against this defenseless child.

DHS Condemns California’s Sanctuary Policies

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a scathing statement calling the case among the most heinous DHS has ever encountered. McLaughlin emphasized that the depraved illegal alien targeted a child with autism, and federal authorities lodged an ICE detainer with Riverside County jail in Indio. However, DHS officials expressed grave concerns they cannot guarantee Governor Gavin Newsom will cooperate with the detainer, citing California’s entrenched sanctuary policies. This represents a direct clash between federal law enforcement priorities under President Trump and California’s continued defiance of immigration enforcement that puts Americans at risk.

Pattern of Releasing Criminal Aliens Continues

DHS officials revealed that California has released approximately 3,700 violent criminal illegal immigrants back into communities where they have gone on to reoffend. This case exemplifies the broader national crisis, with Congressional records indicating over 20,000 illegal aliens have been convicted or charged with sexual assault and rape across the United States. The Trump administration has made combating sanctuary jurisdictions a cornerstone of its immigration enforcement strategy, arguing these policies directly endanger American families. Governor Newsom’s office did not respond to requests for comment, maintaining the silence that has characterized California’s resistance to federal cooperation on immigration matters.

Victim Support and Public Safety Concerns

The 14-year-old victim and her family now have access to support through DHS’s VOICE hotline, which assists victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants. Riverside County residents face heightened public safety fears as Bautista-Vasquez remains held in custody with his fate dependent on whether California honors the ICE detainer. The case has amplified national debates about border security and the protection of vulnerable populations, particularly autistic children who may not recognize dangerous situations. For families of special needs children, this attack represents a nightmare scenario where sanctuary policies created the conditions for a preventable tragedy by allowing a previously deported criminal to remain in the country.