ERO Newark removes Albanian national wanted in Albania for prostitution of a minor

NEWARK, N.J. — Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark officers escorted and removed an Albanian national from the United States June 5 and turned him over to Albanian authorities in Tirane, Albania, June 6. He is wanted in Albania for exploitation of prostitution of a minor.

“Our officers are to be commended once more for the investigative efforts and hard work that resulted in the arrest of this criminal noncitizen,” said ERO Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris. “Because of this, this individual must now face justice in his home country for a heinous crime.”

The Albanian national lawfully entered the United States June 30, 2009, but violated the terms of his admission.

Further investigation revealed that he was a wanted fugitive in Albania. Albanian authorities had issued a judicial decision order, dated April 11, 2011, for execution of sentencing to be served for seven years.

ERO Newark officers arrested him May 18, 2023. He remained in ERO custody until the outcome of his removal proceedings.

A Department of Justice immigration judge in Elizabeth ordered the Albanian national removed from the United States Sept. 12, 2023.

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.

ERO conducts removals of individuals without a lawful basis to remain in the United States, including at the order of immigration judges with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review, which is a separate entity from the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case, determining if a noncitizen is subject to a final order of removal or eligible for certain forms of relief from removal.

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 or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ERO Newark’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ERONewark.