A 68-year-old California man was fatally stabbed on his front lawn by an illegal immigrant who was released from custody just one day earlier, despite federal immigration authorities requesting notification before his release.
Brutal Attack Captured on Video
Todd Stewart, a Martinez retiree, was attacked last week by Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, a 36-year-old illegal immigrant from Venezuela who also holds Spanish citizenship. Surveillance footage shows Iriarte-Valdez arriving in a Cadillac SUV before launching a vicious knife attack on Stewart. The two struggled between parked cars before Stewart fell to the ground, where the suspect allegedly continued stabbing him as he screamed. Police reported no prior connection between the victim and his attacker, who now faces murder charges on $1.1 million bail.
Iriarte-Valdez had been released by a judge appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom after violating home detention terms related to a residential burglary case. The suspect has lived in the United States since 2007 and has a criminal record including a 2025 arrest for DUI and hit-and-run causing property damage.
Border Czar Blasts Sanctuary Policies
Tom Homan, President Donald Trump’s border czar, sharply criticized California’s sanctuary jurisdiction laws during a Thursday appearance on Fox News. He stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement had issued a detainer requesting notification before Iriarte-Valdez’s release, which local authorities ignored. Homan emphasized that California law does not prevent a simple phone call to federal authorities, noting that cooperation would not require holding the suspect beyond normal detention periods. He attributed Stewart’s death directly to political opposition to Trump, saying sanctuary policies prioritize politics over public safety.
Homan rejected attempts by the governor’s office to blame federal enforcement failures. He explained that ICE had completed its investigation, determined the suspect was deportable due to illegal status and criminal history, and properly issued a detainer. The border czar suggested California’s political culture discourages cooperation with federal immigration enforcement despite legal allowances for basic communication.
Political Standoff Continues
Governor Newsom’s office fired back in a statement, insisting that California takes public safety seriously and that nothing in state law prevents federal authorities from enforcing immigration regulations. A spokesperson placed responsibility on the Trump administration, arguing the federal government possesses billions of dollars and substantial resources to handle enforcement without relying on state cooperation. The governor’s office added that Iriarte-Valdez should face justice for the alleged crime while maintaining their stance on sanctuary policies that limit local law enforcement involvement in federal immigration matters.