(Presidentialwire.com)- The man who attacked the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week is in the country illegally.
David DePape is a Canadian national, and the Department of Homeland Security said earlier this week that he could face deportation as a result — after his criminal proceedings and potential trial and sentence are over.
DePape is accused of attacking Paul Pelosi at his home in California last week. He broke into the Pelosis’ house looking for Nancy, but she was not home. Paul was able to call 911, and law enforcement responded quickly.
When officers arrived at the home, they observed both Paul and DePape holding a hammer. At one point, the suspect wrested the hammer away from Paul, and then bashed him with it.
Paul Pelosi was released from the hospital this week after undergoing emergency surgery for a broken skull as well as other injuries. Nancy Pelosi said he has a long recovery ahead of him. On Monday, she said:
“Paul is making steady progress on what will be a long recovery process.”
On November 1, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an immigration detainer on DePape with the San Francisco County Jail. These detainers are issued to state, federal and local law enforcement agencies as a way to let them know ICE intends to take custody of someone. In doing so, ICE requests that they be notified before the individual is released.
The detainer won’t make much of a different to DePape at this point, since any deportation that would occur would likely happen after his criminal case is completely resolved. Once his conviction and any sentence is served, though, the United States would likely try to deport him.
Federal records show that DePape entered the U.S. back on March 8, 2008, through the port of entry in San Ysidro, which borders California and Mexico. He entered then as a temporary visitor.
Canadian nationals generally do not have to obtain a visa to visit the United States if they are doing so for business or pleasure. They’re also allowed to remain in the U.S. for up to six months.
Apparently, though, DePape did not leave the United States when he was supposed to. ICE didn’t say when DePape was supposed to leave the United States.
The government of Canada confirmed to the Washington Post this week that it is working with local U.S. authorities for their investigation.
DePape has been charged with multiple state crimes, including attempted murder, attempted kidnapping and assault. On Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty to all of the state charges when he made his initial court appearance.
The 42-year-old has also been charged with two federal charges — attempted kidnapping of a U.S. official and assault of an immediate family member of a U.S> official. This is because he told police during an interview that he had plans to “hold hostage” Nancy Pelosi when he arrived at the couple’s home.
DePape hasn’t entered a plea in federal court as of yet.
