ERO Philadelphia removes noncitizen wanted for murder in Mexico
PHILADELPHIA — Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia removed Juan Martinez Merida, a citizen of Mexico with a final order of removal, to Mexico on Oct. 26. Martinez is a foreign fugitive wanted by law enforcement authorities in Mexico for murder.
"ERO Philadelphia is dedicated to ensuring that individuals seeking to evade justice in their home countries are removed from our communities and returned home to face justice," said ERO Philadelphia Field Office Director Cammilla Wamsley.
Juan Martinez Merida had been detained at the U.S. border at least seven times and allowed voluntary departure. On an unknown date and at an unknown location, Martinez entered the United States without admission or parole by an immigration official.
ERO Philadelphia arrested Martinez on Aug. 22, 2023, and charged him with inadmissibility in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act. An immigration judge with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review ordered his removal from the United States to Mexico on Oct. 6, 2023. Martinez waived his right to appeal.
ERO Philadelphia confirmed that there is an active warrant for Martinez’s arrest in Mexico.
As one of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) 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 calling 866-347-2423 or completing ICE’s online tip form.
Learn more about ERO’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X, formerly known as Twitter, @EROPhiladelphia.
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