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AULANDER – An arrest involving a domestic dispute here yesterday (Thursday) led to an order from ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to hold an Aulander man on an immigration detainer.

Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin said his office was contacted immediately by ICE after an arrest was made during a Thursday’s domestic dispute.

Bertie deputies D. Mizzelle and A. Cherry responded to a domestic dispute on Main Street in Aulander. During the investigation of the dispute, deputies arrested Pablo Lopez Ramirez of Aulander.

During processing, deputies fingerprinted Ramirez and shortly thereafter the Bertie Sheriff’s Office received a call from ICE regarding the immigration detainer.

Ramirez was processed and confined into the Bertie/Martin Regional Jail.

Ruffin said he was in Washington DC earlier this week where he had the opportunity to meet with federal legislators on different topics that affect Bertie County and North Carolina. One of the topics was immigration.

“I can speak on behalf of nearly every law enforcement agency in North Carolina that you won’t see local law enforcement on their own going out and asking people for their immigration papers, but if a person has entered the country illegally and breaking the law, we will work with federal agents,” Ruffin said. “From my understanding, ICE Agents are targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records, while also detaining those who lack immigration status.”