ERO Harlingen removes Honduran national wanted in home country for murder
HARLINGEN, Texas – Deportation officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Harlingen, with assistance from ERO Honduras and the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) taskforce, removed an unlawfully present Honduran national wanted in his home country for murder, theft, and threats.
Jose Manuel Soto-Ramirez, 33, was removed Aug. 29 via ICE Air Operations, arriving at the Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, where he was turned over to authorities without incident.
“This case is a great example of the cooperation between our local and international law enforcement partners,” said Miguel Vergara, acting field office director for ERO Harlingen. “We will continue to identify and remove individuals wanted in their home countries, fulfilling our mission of keeping communities safe.”
Soto entered the U.S. at an unknown date and location without being admitted or paroled by an immigration officer. He was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2010, near Laredo, Texas, and was determined to be inadmissible into the U.S.; he was issued an expedited removal order and removed to Honduras on June 16, 2010.
At an unknown date and location, Soto reentered the U.S. without being admitted or paroled by an immigration officer. On Aug. 26, 2021, a judge in the Supreme Court of Justice at La Paz, Honduras, issued an arrest warrant for Soto for charges of murder, theft, and threats. On April 8, ERO encountered Soto at the Huntsville, Alabama Police Department and served him with a notice of intent/decision to reinstate prior removal order.
Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.
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