Homeland Security confirms Pelosi attacker illegally in U.S., may be deported

The man accused of violently attacking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul Pelosi, was illegally in the United States and may be deported, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

"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," the agency said late Wednesday, CNN reported.

Authorities on Monday charged DePape, 42, with assault and attempted kidnaping after he allegedly entered the Pelosi home last week and attacked Pelosi with a hammer.

Immigration detainers are issued by ICE to inform federal, state and local law enforcement that the agency plans on taking custody of a person. 

Deportations typically happen after an individual is convicted and serves time in prison, so DePape's case is unlikely to be affected. 

Allegations emerged earlier this week that DePape came from Canada and overstayed his visa in the United States by about 20 years.