Feds Open Investigation Into Suspected Illegal Immigrants Accused of Killing Bald Eagle

Two Honduran nationals killed a nation’s bird in the intention of making dinner.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will open an investigation into two illegal immigrants suspected of killing abald eagle. A spokesman said that the U.S. Washington Free Beacon.

After a week-long outrage by residents of Stanton County in Nebraska, the federal government announced its decision. two Honduran nationals The two men, who had no U.S. ID cards and spoke little English, fatally shot the bird with the intent of making dinner. Stanton County Sheriff’s Department convicted the men of illegally possessing a baldeagle, and another with failing to have a driver’s licence. These charges, which are both misdemeanors under Nebraska law, can’t be brought to jail until the March 28th trial.

Stanton County Sheriff Mike Unger said the Free Beacon He stated earlier this month that, although he repeatedly tried to contact federal authorities in an effort to keep suspects behind bars and get a response, no one responded.

The federal law against killing a baldeagle includes the 1940 Bald Eagle Protection Act. Violation of this law can result in a one-year sentence and up to $10,000 in fines.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not respond to our request for comment, citing its policy regarding active investigations. 

Federal investigations could shed some light on their immigration status. Unger claimed that the department cannot inquire into whether these men are illegal immigrants. However, their inability to provide any U.S. identification indicates they weren’t allowed to stay in the United States. Unger revealed that the Honduran consulate documents were carried by both of them.

A violation of federal laws could lead to them being deported regardless of legal status. For green card holders, the Immigration and Nationality Act allows them to be expelled from the United States. “crimes of moral turpitude” Other felonies 

As recently as last year, federal authorities brought criminal charges against individuals for killing a baldeagle. In the end, the accused pleaded guilty to the charges and was given a $10,000 penalty in court. He also received an exclusion from hunting for five year.