Vice President Mike Pence Visits Baltimore ICE Office

BALTIMORE, MD — Vice President Mike Pence visited Baltimore on Wednesday, May 1, for two reasons. He was presenting an award to the head of his Secret Service detail during an annual awards ceremony. In addition, he checked out the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Field (ICE) Office, meeting with ICE employees and taking a tour of the facility.

Pence said he was in town presenting the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association's Aguila Award to Hector Hernandez.

"Aguila" is the Spanish word for eagle, and the award is the highest form of recognition that the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association has. Each year the award is presented to an individual, community organization or law enforcement or criminal justice agency.

Pence gave the award to Hernandez during the association's 45th annual training symposium and awards luncheon at the Embassy Suites on Saint Paul Street near the Inner Harbor.

Hernandez was the first Hispanic-American to hold the office of Special Agent in Charge of the Vice President's Protective Division in the Secret Service, according to Pence, who said that the man now oversees a team of more than 300 personnel.

Hernandez is a man who "loves his family and loves his country and loves his God," Pence said.

He described Hernandez as "a professional to his very core," according to The Baltimore Sun.

After the awards lunch, Pence toured the ICE office on Gay Street.

"THANK YOU to the brave men and women of @ICEGov Baltimore for the critical work they’re doing every day to keep our communities safe, stop the flow of illicit drugs, & combat human trafficking. @POTUS & I are proud to stand with you!" Pence tweeted afterward.

Photos courtesy of Vice President Mike Pence.