ERO New York City removes Salvadoran fugitive wanted for aggravated homicide in his home country
Jose Omar Rodriguez being taken into custody by the National Civil Police and SAFE task force upon arrival in El Salvador.
NEW YORK — Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New York City removed an unlawfully present foreign fugitive Dec. 8 who was wanted for aggravated homicide by law enforcement authorities in his home country of El Salvador.
Jose Omar Rodriguez, 34, departed Alexandria International Airport in Louisiana and arrived at San Salvador International Airport in El Salvador. Upon arrival, authorities turned him over to the National Civil Police of El Salvador.
“Noncitizens like Mr. Rodriguez who attempt to exploit the immigration laws of the United States to evade prosecution in their homes countries will be located, arrested and placed into removal proceedings” said ERO New York City Field Office Director Kenneth Genalo. “We will continue to collaborate with our international law enforcement partners to ensure these fugitives are returned to their home countries to face justice. We are grateful to the ERO attache in El Salvador and the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement task force for their support in the repatriation of this alleged criminal.”
Rodriguez entered the United States on an unknown date and at an unknown location without admission, parole or admittance by an immigration officer.
After learning that Rodriguez was wanted for aggravated homicide by law enforcement authorities in El Salvador, ERO New York City Fugitive Operations officers apprehended him May 15, outside of a residence in Far Rockaway, and initiated removal proceedings. On Aug. 10, an immigration judge in New York City ordered Rodriguez removed to El Salvador. He filed an appeal with the Board of Immigration of Appeals on Sept. 7. On Nov. 15, the Board of Immigration Appeals dismissed his appeal.
Noncitizens placed into removal proceedings receive their legal due process from federal immigration judges in the immigration courts, which are administered by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). EOIR is an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice and is separate from the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case. ICE officers carry out the removal decisions made by the federal immigration judges.
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 crime and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ERO New York City’s mission to preserve public safety on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ERONewYork.
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