Marine's father urges immigration enforcement as driver faces third deportation

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Martin Martinez-Ballinas on July 22 after he completed a federal sentence for illegally re-entering the United States. Martinez-Ballinas, who was convicted in connection with the 2017 Maryland hit-and-run that killed Marine James Ray Walden III, has now been detained for a third deportation attempt. The Marine’s father, James Ray Walden III’s parent, appeared on a talk show to denounce proposals to eliminate ICE, saying the tragedy illustrates the need for strict immigration enforcement.

He highlighted his son’s promising career as a Marine and NSA crypto-analyst before the fatal crash. The father also credited President Donald Trump for prioritizing border security, calling his policies among the most consequential in recent history.