ERO Philadelphia removes foreign fugitive to Peru

PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia announced that Martin Enrique Bacigalupo Olivera, a citizen of Peru with a final order of removal, was removed to his home country on December 19. Bacigalupo is wanted by Peruvian authorities for crimes against life, body and health, specifically homicide.

“The removal of Bacigalupo underscores our commitment to public safety and the enforcement of our immigration laws,” said ERO Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Brian McShane. “Individuals who commit serious crimes and attempt to evade justice will be found and removed from our communities.”

Bacigalupo first entered the United States legally on Nov. 26, 2005, at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas as a nonimmigrant visitor, with authorization to remain until Dec. 25, 2005. Bacigalupo overstayed his visa and remained in the U.S. without authorization.

Bacigalupo has been involved in multiple criminal activities over the years. He was arrested on Aug. 25, 2008, in Pohatcong Township, New Jersey, for charges including simple assault, shoplifting and possession of burglary tools. Subsequent arrests and convictions followed, including a significant 2009 conviction for retail theft in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where he was sentenced to incarceration ranging from 70 days to 23 months.

Bacigalupo was removed to Peru in Dec. 2009, but in Aug. 2022, he illegally entered the U.S. Peruvian authorities issued a homicide arrest warrant for him in July.

ERO Newark arrested Bacigalupo during a targeted enforcement action in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Oct.19 and transferred him to ERO Philadelphia, where he remained in ICE custody during removal proceedings.

ERO is one of ICE’s three operational directorates and 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 suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in the Philadelphia area on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROPhiladelphia.