As officials reported that one of the two students charged with raping a girl, aged 14, in a Maryland high school bathroom entered the United States illegally, the crime became part of the national debate on immigration.

The White House press secretary Sean Spicer, in a response to the reporter’s question at Tuesday’s press briefing, called the crime as “shocking, disturbing, horrific.”

Henry Sanchez, aged 18, and Jose Montano, aged 17, were charged in the Thursday assault at the Rockville High School. The Washington Post reports that Sanchez lived in the Guatemala until he was 17.

Matthew Bourke, spokesman for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said in a statement that a border patrol agent encountered Sanchez in Texas in the August. Bourke said that, Sanchez was ordered to appear before the immigration judge, but that appearance has not been scheduled. ICE has since lodged an immigration detainer complaint against Sanchez

According to the court records, Montano, who was charged as an adult in the case, was born in the El Salvador, where he lived for 16 years. The ICE officials would not discuss Montano’s immigration status because he is a juvenile.

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While expressing horror at the crime and repeatedly assuring parents that their children are safe at the school, Smith said that, “We serve every student who walks in the door. It is not only the right thing to do, it is the law.”

On Monday, the Maryland’s House of Delegates approved a measure to prevent authorities from detaining the immigrants to ask about their immigration status.

The Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, said on WBAL radio that the crime represents a “worst-case scenario.” He also said that the bill would prevent Maryland from cooperating withthe immigration authorities. He vowed to veto the bill, if the bill reaches his desk.

The preliminary hearings are set for Montano on March 31 and April 14 for Sanchez.

Mrudula Duddempudi.