ERO New York removes MS-13 gang member wanted for murder
NEW YORK – Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) removal division and ERO New York field office removed a Salvadoran national and MS-13 gang member July 22, charged with murder in El Salvador.
Luis Eduardo Morales, 46, was removed to El Salvador via ICE Air Operations charter and transferred into the custody of Salvadoran law enforcement officials upon arrival at the El Salvador National Airport.
“Due to the hard work of several ERO components, we continue to advance the goal of making our communities safer by pursuing and removing those individuals who seek to escape prosecution in their home countries,” said William Joyce, ERO New York acting field office director.
At an unknown time and place, Morales unlawfully entered the United States. ERO New York was notified April 8, 2019, that Morales was wanted for aggravated homicide by law enforcement in El Salvador.
ERO New York arrested Oct. 21, 2021, Morales pursuant to a Warrant of Arrest and issued a Notice to Appear. Morales’ bond request was denied, and an immigration judge ordered him removed from the United States to El Salvador February 17, 2022.
Morales filed an appeal March 11, 2022, with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The appeal was dismissed by the BIA June 15.
This high-profile removal was the result of the collaborative efforts of assistant attaché for removal, who is stationed at the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador, El Salvador; the ERO New York field office; the ERO New Orleans field office, ICE Air Operations, and the El Salvadoran law enforcement authorities.
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