Authorities in the sanctuary state of Massachusetts repeatedly released a Turkish illegal charged with rape despite requests from federal authorities that he be turned over to their custody.
On Friday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of 26-year-old Bilal Karayigit.
Karayigit flew into the country on July 12, 2022, but later violated the terms of his lawful admission to the U.S.
On Dec. 5, 2023, the Turk was arraigned in Brighton District Court on charges of rape and indecent assault and battery against a victim over the age of 14.
ICE immediately lodged a detainer with the Massachusetts court, which ignored the request and set him loose on April 24, 2024.
On June 11, 2024, Karayigit was arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court, located in the sanctuary stronghold of Boston, on charges of rape, indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 years of age, and kidnapping.
“The Boston Police Department arrested Karayigit Sept. 19, 2024, on warrants stemming from his pending charges. ICE lodged an immigration detainer against Karayigit with the Nashua Street Jail in Boston later that day. The jail ignored the immigration detainer and released Karayigit from custody Sept. 26, 2024,” ICE explained in a press release.
ICE @EROBoston arrests Turkish alien charged with raping Massachusetts resident. Local jurisdictions refused to honor ICE detainers.
— ERO Boston (@EROBoston) March 14, 2025
Link: https://t.co/OwkcEiT7w7 pic.twitter.com/ntFhIW8bOb
Officers from the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston office finally caught up with Karayigit on Feb. 19 in Burlington, MA.
He was served with a notice to appear before a federal immigration judge and remains in ICE custody at this time.
“Bilal Karayigit stands accused of brutally victimizing a resident of our community,” said ICE ERO Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde.
“He represents a significant threat to the members of our Massachusetts neighborhoods that ICE will not tolerate.”
Authorities continue to catch dangerous foreign criminals in the U.S.