A previously deported illegal migrant who federal officials say was kicked out of the US four separate times admitted to a California hit-and-run that killed an 11-year-old boy, reigniting outrage over the state’s sanctuary laws and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s immigration policies.
Hector Amador Balderas, 44, pleaded guilty Friday to felony hit-and-run leading to the death of 11-year-old Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz. The crash happened in Escondido outside San Diego, on Nov. 26, 2025, the day before Thanksgiving.
“Hector Balderas-Aheelor was previously removed FOUR times before he chose to commit a felony and illegally re-enter the country a fifth time,” former DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “Gavin Newsom, we are calling on YOU to do the right thing and honor ICE’s arrest detainer.”
Federal officials said Balderas had previously been deported on March 19, 2004; June 10, 2004; June 15, 2004; and March 4, 2010, before allegedly re-entering the US again illegally.
Investigators said Aiden ran into the street to retrieve a soccer ball near East Washington Avenue and Hickory Street around 5 p.m. when Balderas struck the child with his vehicle and fled the scene instead of stopping to render aid.
The young boy was rushed to Rady Children’s Hospital, where he died Thanksgiving morning.
Authorities said Balderas surrendered to police days later.
Court records show he is expected to receive between two and three years in state prison at sentencing early next month. He remains jailed without bail.
The case erupted into a political flashpoint after the Department of Homeland Security revealed that after Balderas’ arrest, Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued an immigration detainer requesting notification before any potential release from custody.
But the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office rejected the request under California sanctuary-state restrictions.
“On November 29, 2025, a Department of Homeland Security – Immigration Detainer – Notice of Action (DHS Form I-247-A) was received for Hector Balderas-Aheelor (aka: Hector Amador Balderas),” Sheriff’s Lt. David Collins said.
“In accordance with California Government Code 7282.5, a review of the criminal history was conducted, and the Immigration Detainer was rejected.”
Collins said the denial stemmed from the California Values Act, the sanctuary law signed by former Gov. Jerry Brown during President Trump’s first term.
McLaughlin blasted California officials over the case, arguing sanctuary policies are putting public safety at risk.
“Thanksgiving should be a day of celebrating family and giving gratitude, but instead the family of Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz mourned this beautiful child’s death because a criminal illegal alien stole his life,” she said.
“Now, sanctuary laws threaten to put this killer back onto California’s streets.”
She added that DHS would continue targeting “murderers, pedophiles, and violent criminals” and said, “Under President Trump, DHS is no longer allowing Americans to be used as collateral damage for failed border policies.”
Newsom denied the federal accusations, calling DHS claims “a complete lie” and insisting California honors federal criminal warrants.
His office also said, “Nothing prohibits the federal government from doing its job in this case.”
In heartbreaking remarks after the crash, Aiden’s mother, María de Paz, described finding her son unconscious in the street moments after hearing the impact.
“People came to help me, but no one saw anything,” she told NBC 7 San Diego. “The car just fled. They hit him and didn’t stop.”
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