ERO Detroit removes fugitive wanted for homicide in Mexico
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Deportation officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Detroit removed a Mexican national wanted for homicide in Mexico on March 7.
Officials flew Omar Martinez-Suarez, a 39-year-old unlawfully present Mexican national, from the Toledo Express Airport to the Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas on March 7. On the same day, ERO Harlingen escorted him via ground transportation to the border and turned him over to Mexican authorities.
Following an Oct. 25, 2010 arrest for local charges in Springdale, an immigration judge with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review ordered Martinez-Suarez removed from the United States on Nov. 10, 2010. Officials removed him to Mexico six days later.
On an unknown date and at an unknown location, Martinez-Suarez reentered the U.S. without being inspected by an immigration official.
“Our officers continue to work toward safer streets for the communities we serve,” said ERO Detroit acting Field Office Director Matthew Putra. “We urge the community to report other foreign fugitives in Michigan and Ohio to our tip line so that justice may be served both here in the United States and abroad.”
ERO Detroit arrested Martinez-Suarez Feb. 8 and served him with a notice of intent and decision to reinstate prior order. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained him pending his removal from the United States.
ICE officers make enforcement decisions on a case-by-case basis in a professional and responsible manner, informed by their experience as law enforcement officials and in a way that best protects against the greatest threats to the homeland.
In fiscal year 2022, ERO arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories. This group had 198,498 associated charges and convictions, including 21,531 assault offenses; 8,164 sex and sexual assault offenses; 5,554 weapons offenses; 1,501 homicide-related offenses; and 1,114 kidnapping offenses.
As one of ICE’s three operational directorates, ERO is the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO’s mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency’s detained and non-detained populations, and repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO’s workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings, and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.
Members of the public can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in your community on Twitter @ERODetroit. The ERO Detroit field office oversees suboffices in both Michigan and Ohio.
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