Alleged Paul Pelosi attacker may face deportation, officials say

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed to ABC News Thursday that an immigration detainer was placed on David DePape, the man who is accused of violently assaulting Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

"U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an immigration detainer on Canadian national David DePape with San Francisco County Jail, Nov. 1, following his Oct. 28 arrest," a DHS spokesperson told ABC.

An immigration detainer is usually placed on people who are suspected of being in the country illegally as a means to start deportation proceedings once their criminal case has been adjudicated. Deportation from the United States is a civil procedure. The other law enforcement agency who has the suspect in custody is usually responsible for notifying ICE before their release from custody.

Federal records show that DePape entered the United States as a temporary visitor on March 8, 2008 at the San Ysidro port of entry along the U.S. and Mexico border.

Canadians who present themselves at ether border typically do not need a visa and are admitted into the U.S. for six months.

DePape allegedly broke into the Pelosi home last Friday and was looking for Nancy Pelosi, but instead encountered her husband Paul whom he allegedly attacked with a hammer.