A woman charged over a drink-driving crash that killed an off-duty Connecticut police officer and his long-term girlfriend last month has been confirmed by federal authorities to be in the United States illegally. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a detainer for the suspect, meaning she could face deportation proceedings alongside any criminal case. The incident, which took place in Bridgeport, has drawn renewed attention to the immigration status of suspects in high-profile crimes involving law enforcement victims.

Officials confirmed the development on Monday, though full details of the suspect's identity, charges and immigration history were not fully set out in the available report. The case adds to a series of recent stories highlighting clashes between federal immigration enforcement and local "sanctuary" policies, a theme officials such as former acting ICE director Tom Homan have repeatedly criticised as hampering public safety efforts.