Federal immigration authorities lodged a detainer against an illegal immigrant convicted of murdering a Nashville restaurant owner during a botched theft, ensuring deportation proceedings will begin once his 20-year prison sentence ends. The case highlights ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and public safety after the perpetrator entered the United States illegally through Texas in 2021.
Fatal Confrontation Over Stolen Tools
Ulises Raigoza-Martinez, a Mexican citizen, stopped at Smokin’ Thighs restaurant on June 19, 2024, to steal tools from owner Matt Carney’s pickup truck. When Carney, 42, walked outside to confront the thief, Raigoza-Martinez accelerated his vehicle and struck the restaurateur. Carney landed on the hood before being thrown to the pavement when Raigoza-Martinez turned the vehicle. The restaurant owner suffered critical injuries and died at a Nashville hospital on July 4, 2024.
Police arrested Raigoza-Martinez in South Nashville on July 18, 2024, nearly one month after the incident. On July 22, 2026, he pleaded guilty to murder, two counts of theft over specified amounts, and tampering with evidence. A Tennessee court sentenced him to 20 years in prison for the crimes.
Federal Immigration Response
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials immediately placed an immigration detainer against Raigoza-Martinez following his sentencing. The detainer requests Tennessee authorities notify federal immigration officials before his release, allowing ICE to take custody for removal proceedings. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis issued a statement condemning the circumstances that allowed the crime to occur.
Bis emphasized that Raigoza-Martinez should never have been in the country to commit the murder. She confirmed DHS will work with Tennessee partners to ensure the convicted criminal transfers to ICE custody once his sentence completes, guaranteeing his removal from the United States. The cooperation between state and federal authorities represents standard protocol for criminal aliens serving prison sentences.
Border Entry and Public Safety Concerns
Records show Raigoza-Martinez entered the United States illegally through Texas in 2021 during the Biden administration’s border policies. His case adds to mounting concerns about screening procedures and enforcement practices at the southern border. The murder of a small business owner during a property crime has intensified calls for stricter immigration enforcement and improved coordination between federal and local law enforcement agencies.
The case also raises questions about tracking systems for illegal border crossers and whether enhanced monitoring could prevent similar tragedies. Tennessee officials must now decide whether to honor the ICE detainer, though cooperation appears likely given the severity of the crime and public statements from both state and federal authorities.