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Disaster-stricken east Tennessee confronted another crisis Saturday as eight foreign nationals were arrested for allegedly looting in a hurricane-ravaged community.

Late last week, as Hurricane Helene bore down on the Southeast, data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement revealed the extent to which the Biden-Harris administration’s open border had allowed convicted criminals to illegally enter the country.

Saturday in Washington County, Tennessee, it appeared that even the documented were not without fault as Sheriff Keith Paxton announced the arrest of eight migrant workers, said to be stateside on work visas, alleged to have been looting properties.

“Eight Arrested for Looting in Flood Ravaged 107 Area,” the Washington County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook including the mugshots of the individuals charged.

The three suspected of burglary were listed as Jesus Leodan Garcia-Peneda, 51; Ersy Leonel Ortis-Valdez, 33; and Josue Berardo Ortis-Valdez, 31, while the five charged with aggravated burglary for allegedly entering occupied properties were Marvin Hernandez-Martinez, 43; Dayln Gabriel Guillen Guillen, 37; David Bairon Rapalo-Rapalo, 37; Kevin Noe Martinez-Lopez, 25; and Albin Nahun Vega-Rapalo.

A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office confirmed to the New York Post that the eight men being held on $20,000 bond were in the country legally. They were each expected to appear in court Sept. 30.

Without distinguishing between citizen and non-citizen, First Judicial District Attorney General Steven Finney released a statement regarding zero tolerance for those who would seek to gain from the tragedy and said, “I am deeply troubled to learn of looting activity which as reportedly occurred.”

“I want to assure the people of the First Judicial District that my office will aggressively prosecute any person charged with looting, theft, or any other crime related to this disaster to the fullest extent possible,” he went on. “This will not be tolerated. Any applicable enhancements to criminal offenses which occur that are related to this disaster will also be pursued.”

Finney made clear, “This is a difficult time for everyone. The thoughts and prayers of myself and my staff are with those affected.”

As had been reported, as of July 21, 2024, ICE’s national docket accounted for more than 660,000 non-citizens on their non-detained list who had a criminal history. Those figures accounted for the illegal entries into the country and did not factor in the lax adherence to the laws that had resulted in Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas being impeached by the House of Representatives.

“We’re like a dumping ground,” former President Donald Trump said during a Friday campaign event. “Non-citizens, convicted criminals from all over the world are right now at-large in the United States of America.”

Despite the apparent legal status of the suspects held in Tennessee, social media reactions remained firm in finding fault in President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for setting the stage for the possibility of like offenses.

Kevin Haggerty
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