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July 28, 2023Detroit, MI, United StatesHuman Rights Violators

ERO Detroit removes Liberian national with ties to rebel group known for human rights violations

Varfley Dolleh, 56, was flown to Liberia on June 21, via a flight coordinated by ICE’s Air Operations Unit.

DETROIT — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Detroit deportation officers removed a Liberian national with ties to the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy, a rebel group that committed numerous human rights violations during the first Liberian Civil War, including torture, sexual slavery, and use and recruitment of child soldiers.

Varfley Dolleh, 56, was flown to Liberia on June 21, via a flight coordinated by ICE’s Air Operations Unit.

“ERO Detroit officers will continue to work towards safer communities in Michigan and Ohio,” said ERO Detroit Field Office Director Robert Lynch. “It is essential for ICE to enforce final orders of removal for known or suspected human rights violators. These individuals deserve to be held accountable, and they may not evade due process here in the United States no matter how much time has passed.”

On Oct. 7, 1998, the former Immigration and Naturalization Service admitted Dolleh to the United States in New York City.

On or about Sept. 3, 2019, Dolleh departed the United States and traveled to Canada. He applied for admission to the United States at the Detroit-Windsor port of entry Aug. 16, 2022, but was denied admission, served a notice and order of expedited removal, and arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection transferred Dolleh to ERO Detroit’s custody Aug. 17, 2022.

On April 5, 2023, an immigration judge with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review ordered Dolleh removed from the United States to Liberia. Dolleh did not seek appellate review of that decision.

This case was supported by the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center.

In fiscal year 2022, ERO arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories; this group had 198,498 associated charges and convictions. These included 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, Enforcement and Removal Operations (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 sub-offices in both Michigan and Ohio.

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