The arrest occurred as Amaya-Sanchez was leaving the court-houe. This incident underscores the ongoing debate over the roles of federal and local law enforcement in immigration enforcement. The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Quentin Miller, has a policy of not partnering with ICE to enforce federal immigration law. This is why the arrest was carried out by federal agents in a public space, rather than inside a county facility. The Sheriff's Office has stated that its focus is on local public safety and that it will not use its resources to enforce federal immigration laws.
Critics of such federal enforcement actions argue that they undermine community trust in local law enforcement. There is also documented evidence from various civil rights organizations and academic studies showing that ICE's interior enforcement efforts disproportionately target non-white individuals. The absence of a similar pattern of arrests for white individuals in comparable circumstances is a fact that highlights this disparity.
Following his arrest, Jediael Amaya-Sanchez was taken into ICE custody. His specific location is not publicly available without access to ICE's Online Detainee Locator System, which requires an Alien Registration Number (A-number) or biographical information. His attorney has confirmed that he remains in federal custody.