TAKOMA PARK, MD – Federal immigration authorities confirmed that Santa Claus was detained this morning after entering the United States without proper documentation.

According to ICE spokespersons, Santa – identified as an elderly man with a foreign accent, no fixed address, and a suspicious number of aliases including “St. Nick” and “Kris Kringle” – was apprehended while attempting to descend a chimney in Montgomery County.

“He checked every box,” said one ICE official, speaking on condition of anonymity in fear he might be placed on the Naught List. “No passport. No visa. Travels exclusively at night. Claims to be self-employed but can’t produce tax records. And claiming he plans to secretly visit little boys and girls in the middle of the night really raised red flags.”

ICE officials stated that Santa is currently being held at an undisclosed detention facility pending a hearing to determine whether the North Pole qualifies for Temporary Protected Status.

Agency documents reportedly list Santa’s occupation as “toy manufacturer,” though investigators remain skeptical. “We’ve been burned before by people claiming to run ‘workshops,’” one official said, citing concerns about labor practices involving elves, none of whom could immediately be located.

Montgomery County elected officials issued a joint statement expressing “deep concern,” while also reminding residents that Santa had never pulled a permit for rooftop access, sleigh parking, or chimney entry.

“Whether I like it or not, the agents are within their right to, obviously, arrest people who are here illegally,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “This county is not a Santa Sanctuary.”

Christmas is still expected to proceed, though ICE clarified it may be scaled back to a more lawful, domestically sourced holiday experience where children can expect to receive only two or three dolls this year instead of 30.