A beforehand deported unlawful migrant who federal officers say was kicked out of the US 4 separate occasions admitted to a California hit-and-run that killed an 11-year-old boy, reigniting outrage over the state’s sanctuary legal guidelines and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s immigration insurance policies.
Hector Amador Balderas, 44, pleaded responsible Friday to felony hit-and-run resulting in the demise of 11-year-old Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz. The crash occurred in Escondido exterior San Diego, on Nov. 26, 2025, the day earlier than Thanksgiving.
“Hector Balderas-Aheelor was beforehand eliminated FOUR occasions earlier than he selected to commit a felony and illegally re-enter the nation a fifth time,” former DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated. “Gavin Newsom, we’re calling on YOU to do the fitting factor and honor ICE’s arrest detainer.”
Federal officers stated Balderas had beforehand been deported on March 19, 2004; June 10, 2004; June 15, 2004; and March 4, 2010, earlier than allegedly re-entering the US once more illegally.
Investigators stated Aiden bumped into the road to retrieve a soccer ball close to East Washington Avenue and Hickory Avenue round 5 p.m. when Balderas struck the kid along with his car and fled the scene as a substitute of stopping to render assist.
The younger boy was rushed to Rady Kids’s Hospital, the place he died Thanksgiving morning.
Authorities stated Balderas surrendered to police days later.
Court docket information present he’s anticipated to obtain between two and three years in state jail at sentencing early subsequent month. He stays jailed with out bail.
The case erupted right into a political flashpoint after the Division of Homeland Safety revealed that after Balderas’ arrest, Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued an immigration detainer requesting notification earlier than any potential launch from custody.
However the San Diego County Sheriff’s Workplace rejected the request underneath California sanctuary-state restrictions.
“On November 29, 2025, a Division of Homeland Safety – Immigration Detainer – Discover of Motion (DHS Kind I-247-A) was obtained for Hector Balderas-Aheelor (aka: Hector Amador Balderas),” Sheriff’s Lt. David Collins stated.
“In accordance with California Authorities Code 7282.5, a assessment of the prison historical past was performed, and the Immigration Detainer was rejected.”
Collins stated the denial stemmed from the California Values Act, the sanctuary regulation signed by former Gov. Jerry Brown throughout President Trump’s first time period.
McLaughlin blasted California officers over the case, arguing sanctuary insurance policies are placing public security in danger.
“Thanksgiving must be a day of celebrating household and giving gratitude, however as a substitute the household of Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz mourned this stunning baby’s demise as a result of a prison unlawful alien stole his life,” she stated.
“Now, sanctuary legal guidelines threaten to place this killer again onto California’s streets.”
She added that DHS would proceed focusing on “murderers, pedophiles, and violent criminals” and stated, “Underneath President Trump, DHS is now not permitting People for use as collateral harm for failed border insurance policies.”
Newsom denied the federal accusations, calling DHS claims “an entire lie” and insisting California honors federal prison warrants.
His workplace additionally stated, “Nothing prohibits the federal authorities from doing its job on this case.”
In heartbreaking remarks after the crash, Aiden’s mom, María de Paz, described discovering her son unconscious on the street moments after listening to the influence.
“Individuals got here to assist me, however nobody noticed something,” she informed NBC 7 San Diego. “The automotive simply fled. They hit him and didn’t cease.”
