A twice-deported illegal immigrant who killed two American teenagers while driving drunk is set for early release in California, sparking outrage and prompting federal intervention to prevent his return to the streets.
At a Glance
- Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano is being released after serving only 3.5 years of a 10-year sentence for killing two teens in a 2021 DUI crash
- Despite an ICE detainer placed in 2022, California was set to release him under the state’s sanctuary policies
- Ortega-Anguiano had been previously deported twice before the fatal crash
- The U.S. Department of Justice plans to file felony immigration charges that could add 20 years to his sentence
- Victims’ families are appealing to state leaders to keep him imprisoned for his full sentence
A Preventable Tragedy
Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano, a Mexican national who had already been deported twice, was driving drunk in November 2021 when he caused a crash that killed two California teenagers, Anya Varfolomeev and Nicholay Osokin. He was subsequently convicted on two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to two 10-year terms to be served concurrently.
Despite the severity of his crimes and a prior record that included driving without a license, California authorities planned to release him after just 3.5 years.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had placed a detainer on Ortega-Anguiano in June 2022, formally requesting that California authorities notify them before his release so he could be taken into federal custody.
However, California’s sanctuary state policies have historically limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities, creating a situation where dangerous offenders can be released rather than transferred to ICE.
Federal Intervention
In response to the imminent release, the U.S. Department of Justice announced plans to file federal immigration charges against Ortega-Anguiano. Bilal A. Essayli, interim U.S. Attorney for California’s Central District, stated that these new charges could potentially add up to 20 years to his sentence, addressing the justice gap created by the early release.
Border czar Tom Homan personally intervened in the case, vowing that if California proceeded with the release, ICE agents would be positioned outside the facility to take Ortega-Anguiano into custody. Homan emphasized that re-entering the country after deportation is itself a federal felony, providing additional grounds for prosecution.
Victims’ Families Speak Out
The families of the teenagers killed in the crash have expressed outrage and grief over the planned early release. Anatoly Varfolomeev, father of victim Anya, voiced his frustration with a system that would release someone responsible for such a devastating loss after serving just a fraction of his sentence.
“It’s disgusting. You have two young, unbelievable future, productive American citizens killed for nothing and that illegal immigrant who already has been deported twice is going to be released again? For what? If even he is deported, he will come back.”, said Anatoly Varfolomeev, Anya’s father.
Criticism of California’s Policies
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin directly criticized California’s approach, emphasizing that the tragedy was entirely preventable. Her statement highlighted the conflict between state-level sanctuary policies and federal immigration enforcement priorities that aim to remove dangerous individuals from communities.
“This twice deported illegal alien was convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, which resulted in the death of a young American couple. This tragedy was completely preventable. This criminal illegal alien should have never been in our country.”, said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
After the public outcry and federal intervention, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office issued a statement indicating that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation would coordinate with ICE for Ortega-Anguiano’s transfer before release, suggesting a potential shift from the state’s usual sanctuary position for this high-profile case.
A Personal Mission
Tom Homan has made this case a personal priority, describing his emotional connection to families affected by similar tragedies. Having met hundreds of parents who lost children to crimes committed by illegal immigrants, Homan committed to ensuring justice in this case by working to ensure Ortega-Anguiano faces appropriate consequences.
“Everybody asks why I get so emotional on network TV, why I get emotional when I testify. Because I’ve met hundreds of angel moms and dads and hear every story. I’ll never forget any of those stories. It’s just a tragedy.”, said Tom Homan.
The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement priorities and state policies that limit cooperation with ICE, particularly in cases involving serious crimes against American citizens. For the victims’ families, the focus remains on ensuring that justice is served and that their lost loved ones are not forgotten in policy debates.
