Venezuelan Migrant Arrested in Chicago for Sixth Time After Charges Dropped—Questions Mount Over Sanctuary City Policies

Chicago is back in the national spotlight after a Venezuelan migrant, Edmonds Peraza Cortez, 25, was arrested for the sixth time in just over a year—this time accused of robbing a woman at gunpoint, mere days after prosecutors dismissed previous charges against him.

According to the Chicago Police Department, Cortez allegedly approached a 41-year-old woman on April 11 while riding a bike, pulled a gun, and demanded cash, phone, wallet, and even her electric scooter. Surveillance footage caught the whole thing, and police managed to arrest Cortez less than an hour later. He now faces a felony count of armed robbery with a firearm.

Cortez’s legal journey reads like a broken record—he’s been arrested six times in just 13 months, and prosecutors have already dropped four of those cases. Information about his attorney wasn't immediately available, which is starting to sound like a familiar refrain in cases like this.

What really has people talking is the timing. This incident came just three days after Cortez was released from electronic monitoring, following the dismissal of a separate narcotics case. He’s still awaiting trial on reckless conduct and possession of a replica firearm. It's almost as if the revolving door at the courthouse needs some oil.

The Cook County State Attorney’s Office and Chicago Police didn't respond to media requests for comment, so the silence on official policy continues.

Meanwhile, Mayor Brandon Johnson stood firm earlier in the week on Chicago’s sanctuary city status, emphasizing declining violence and increased investments. "We’ll continue to move in that direction to build a more inclusive economy for everyone," Johnson said, though one could argue that recent headlines are making that sales pitch a little trickier.

On Capitol Hill, Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García downplayed the spate of violent crimes by undocumented immigrants as "a few crimes," noting, "This is the exception, not the rule." But that did not sit well with local activists like Danielle Carter-Walters, who painted a starkly different picture of community life, citing gang graffiti, drug paraphernalia in parks, and a general sense of chaos in some neighborhoods.

During a Thursday status hearing, the judge ordered Cortez to remain in custody, citing the seriousness of the charges and public safety concerns. "The defendant’s detention is lawful and appropriate," the judge said, making it clear that, at least for now, the cycle has been interrupted.