Irene Martin, the Immigration field director that heads the San Bernardino U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office has been nominated for a prestigious award, the Secretary’s Award for Valor. This is the same person that tried to prevent five Department of Homeland Security agents from arresting a suspect involved in the San Bernardino terrorist attack on December 3, 2015 within 24 hours of the shooting.

The suspect in particular was Enrique Marquez, who is charged with supplying the couple with weapons and plotting additional attacks.

According to the DHS Inspector General’s report, Irene Martin refused to allow the DHS agents to search for the suspect and arrest him. The report also indicates she lied to investigators.

“The agents told her they were looking for Marquez because he was connected to the shootings and there was concern that he could be in the building. The Field Office Director told the agents they were not allowed to arrest, detain, or interview anyone in the building based on USCIS policy, and that she would need to obtain guidance from her superior before allowing them access.”