ERO New York removes Pakistani national wanted for murder in home country
NEW YORK – U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New York field office removed a Pakistani fugitive July 12 to his homeland, accompanied by ERO officers. Ahmad Bilal Cheema, 42, is wanted for murder in Pakistan. According to Pakistani law enforcement, Cheema along with two accomplices, allegedly murdered three individuals on or about Nov. 5, 2008.
“Our officers are to be commended for their work in quickly apprehending and removing this individual, who unbeknownst to U.S. law enforcement for several years, was a fugitive wanted for murder in his home country,” said William Joyce, acting filed office director of ERO New York. “This is the essence of ERO’s mission: community safety.”
Cheema first entered the U.S. lawfully on Jan. 24, 2009. On March 28, 2009, he was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence. On April 22, 2009, Cheema departed the U.S. and returned lawfully on Aug. 9, 2009, but failed to depart in accordance with the terms of his visa.
On Dec. 15, 2009, the Queens County Criminal Court convicted Cheema of driving while impaired by the consumption of alcohol and sentenced him to a fine and suspension of his driver’s license for 90 days.
On May 10, 2010, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested Cheema and served him with a Notice to Appear as a non-immigrant overstay. HSI transferred custody of Cheema to ERO New York. On the same day, ERO New York enrolled Cheema in the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program. On Dec. 14, 2011, his ATD was terminated because his proceedings were terminated.
On or about May 5, 2021, ERO New York was notified that Cheema was wanted by the government of Pakistan. In Pakistan on July 15, 2009, the court of Additional District Sessions, Judge Sialkot, issued a warrant for Cheema’s arrest for murder.
On Oct. 27, 2021, ERO New York Fugitive Operations arrested Cheema as a non-immigrant overstay. Subsequently, Cheema was taken into ERO New York custody. An immigration judge in New York noted an extraordinarily high-flight risk and denied release on bond.
On Jan. 18, an immigration judge ordered Cheema removed from the United States to Pakistan.
Cheema was removed to Pakistan via commercial aircraft, accompanied by ERO officers, and turned over to Pakistani law enforcement authorities.
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-2-ICE or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.
Regardless of nationality, ICE makes custody determinations on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with U.S. law and DHS policy.
Learn more about ICE’s ERO in your community at @ERONewYork.
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