(COLDWATER) - Federal immigration officials report the man accused of fatally stabbing a coworker at Clemens Food Group entered the United States illegally through Texas in 2024.
Twenty-year-old Haitian national Valmir Djempsley faces an open murder charge in the June 30 death of 21-year-old Brandon Eduardo Velasquez Chavez.
Witnesses told police the two men argued over a knife on the production line before Djempsley allegedly chased Chavez and stabbed him in the back.
Chavez died at the scene despite lifesaving efforts.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Djempsley's immigration status and announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer. The detainer asks Michigan authorities to notify ICE before releasing him from custody.
DHS Issues Statement
Acting DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis issued a statement about the pending case.
"This illegal alien barbarically stabbed his coworker to death," Bis said. "This murderer was released into American communities by the Biden Administration. If it weren't for the reckless open border policies, this criminal never would have been in our country in the first place and his victim would still be alive."
Bis added, "We have lodged a detainer asking Michigan to not release this dangerous criminal from jail without notifying ICE."
Djempsley has not been convicted of murder. He has pleaded not guilty, and the criminal case is pending.
Djempsley remains in the Branch County Jail without bond.
He is scheduled for a preliminary examination Friday at 9:30 a.m.