The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is pursuing custody of a Mexican citizen accused of illegally entering the U.S. through Texas in 2021 during the Biden administration. The individual, Ulises Raigoza-Martinez, has been convicted of murdering a Nashville restaurant owner.

After entering a guilty plea, Raigoza-Martinez was sentenced on Tuesday to several decades in prison. ICE lodged an immigration detainer, requesting that Tennessee authorities inform the agency before Raigoza-Martinez’s release. This will allow federal officials to take him into custody for deportation proceedings, per the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The incident leading to this case occurred on June 19, 2024, at a Nashville restaurant named Smokin’ Thighs. Investigators allege that Raigoza-Martinez attempted to steal tools from the pickup truck of the restaurant’s owner, Matt Carney.

Matt Carney, a 42-year-old restaurateur, confronted the thief. Raigoza-Martinez drove off and hit Carney with his vehicle, causing Carney to land on the hood and then fall to the ground as the vehicle turned.

Carney sustained critical injuries and died at a Nashville hospital on July 4, 2024. Police apprehended Raigoza-Martinez in South Nashville on July 18, 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 22, 2026, to charges including murder, theft over $10,000, tampering with evidence, and theft over $2,500, and received a 20-year prison sentence.

According to DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis, Raigoza-Martinez should never have been allowed into the country to commit such acts. Bis emphasized the agency’s intent to cooperate with Tennessee officials to ensure Raigoza-Martinez is transferred to ICE custody following his imprisonment for deportation.

If Tennessee complies with the ICE detainer, federal immigration officials will assume custody of Raigoza-Martinez after his prison term concludes, to initiate deportation proceedings. This follows similar instances where individuals were deported after serving their sentences.