A Honduran illegal immigrant accused of murdering a Georgia mother of five was previously caught and released by the Biden administration at the U.S. southern border, according to a Friday report from Fox News. The shocking crime has reignited debates over border security and immigration enforcement.
Authorities identified the suspect as David Hector Rivas-Sagastume, 21, who had been under a deportation order since July 2023. He now faces capital murder charges in the death of 52-year-old Camilia Williams, a mother and grandmother whose body was found dumped in a wooded area. Family members told local media that Williams had expressed concerns about being followed in the days leading up to her murder. Authorities have not yet confirmed any prior connection between Williams and the suspect.
Murder Details: A Chilling Crime Scene
According to an arrest warrant obtained by Fox Atlanta, Rivas-Sagastume allegedly attacked Williams in Marietta, Georgia, sometime between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. on March 12. The suspect reportedly placed Williams in a chokehold, causing her to lose consciousness. After rendering her unconscious, he put his full body weight on her neck—a move that authorities say ultimately led to her death.
Suspect Had Prior Deportation Order, Yet Remained in the U.S.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to Fox News that Rivas-Sagastume entered the U.S. illegally on March 17, 2021. He was originally arrested by U.S. Border Patrol and issued a notice to appear before an immigration judge. However, he was paroled into the country under the previous administration’s policies.
“A judge ordered him removed on July 11, 2023. On March 18, 2025, he was arrested by the Cobb County Police Department for capital murder and other crimes,” DHS stated.
In response, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an immigration detainer with Cobb County Jail to prevent his release. “President Trump and Secretary Noem will not allow criminal illegal aliens—including accused murderers—to remain on American streets,” the statement added.
Crime Sparks Outrage and Comparisons to Laken Riley Murder
The murder of Camilia Williams has drawn comparisons to another high-profile killing in Georgia—the tragic case of Laken Riley. Riley was murdered by another illegal immigrant who had previously been caught and released. That suspect was later convicted, and Riley’s body was also discovered in the woods.
The similarity between the two cases has fueled demands for stricter immigration enforcement. Critics argue that lax border policies and failure to deport known criminals have made American communities less safe.
Bipartisan Support for the Laken Riley Act
Just days before Trump’s inauguration, Senate Democrats joined Republicans in a bipartisan vote to advance the Laken Riley Act, a measure aimed at cracking down on illegal immigrants involved in violent crimes. The legislation easily cleared the 60-vote threshold, with 84 senators voting in favor, nine opposing, and six abstaining.
Shortly after taking office, President Trump signed the bill into law as one of his first official acts, signaling a renewed focus on law and order.
However, many Democrats remained seated during Trump’s joint session of Congress speech earlier this month when he honored Laken Riley’s family. The lack of recognition sparked backlash, even from some within the Democratic Party.
Democratic Strategist Slams Party for ‘Embarrassing’ Behavior
Former Democratic strategist Dan Turrentine was among those who condemned his party’s behavior during Trump’s address.
“I love my party, but tonight was a new low,” Turrentine wrote in an X (formerly Twitter) post. “I get the silence on certain policies, but not a single Democrat standing to applaud a boy’s brave battle with cancer or a man’s admission to West Point? That was a classless disgrace.”
He added that while Trump’s speech contained political vulnerabilities that Democrats could have exploited, their lack of decorum overshadowed any strategic advantage.
Speaking to Fox News host Jesse Watters, Turrentine doubled down on his critique.
“Jesse, it’s embarrassing,” he said. “I think a lot of them have lost their minds.”
Immigration Policies Under Renewed Scrutiny
With yet another high-profile murder involving an illegal immigrant, the Biden administration’s border policies are once again coming under fire. The case of Camilia Williams, like that of Laken Riley, raises serious questions about immigration enforcement, public safety, and whether repeat offenders should ever be allowed to remain in the country.
As the 2024 election results shift policies under a new administration, the push for stricter immigration laws is expected to intensify—especially as more Americans demand action to prevent further tragedies.