ERO Los Angeles removes Mexican national convicted of rape
LOS ANGELES — Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Los Angeles removed a Mexican national convicted of rape, causing bodily injury, and attempting to intimidate a witness or victim with criminal threats.
The Riverside Police Department arrested Miguel Vargas, 38, on Oct. 25, 2014, and the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside, subsequently convicted him in February of 2017 for related felony charges. Vargas entered the United States on an unknown date and at an unknown location.
Upon completion of his sentence in December 2022, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation released Vargas without notifying ERO. On April 11, 2023, ERO Los Angeles officers arrested and removed Vargas to Mexico, pursuant to a targeted enforcement operation in Moreno Valley.
“The successful removal of an unlawfully present noncitizen convicted of rape, speaks to the dedication and professionalism of the men and women of ERO Los Angeles,” said ERO Los Angeles Field Office Director Thomas Giles. “His removal takes an egregious threat from our community and exemplifies our commitment to maintain public safety.”
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. 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, 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 and/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 @EROLosAngeles.
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