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ICE apprehends Czech man wanted on fraud charges
LOS ANGELES – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) successfully apprehended an individual wanted by the Government of the Czech Republic for the offence of fraud, July 15.
Ladislav Mikula, 60, was apprehended by Fugitive Alien Removal (FAR) officers pursuant to a targeted enforcement action in Compton, California.
On Aug. 6, 2005, Mikula entered the United States at the Los Angeles International Airport as a nonimmigrant visitor with authorization to remain in the U.S for a temporary period. With the terms of his visitor authorization set to expire on Feb. 5, 2006, Mikula filed an Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, Form I-539, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), but that application was denied Jan. 23, 2006. Mikula failed to depart the United States as required, thus violating his nonimmigrant status.
ERO Los Angeles received a lead from a partner law enforcement agency identifying Mikula as a person of interest. He was arrested and served with a Notice to Appear, Form I-862, pursuant to Section 237(a)(1)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as a nonimmigrant overstay. Mikula is in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings.
“Any level of immigration fraud is a crime that threatens the overall integrity and security of federal law by creating a vulnerability within our nation,” said ICE’s ERO Los Angeles Field Office Director Dave Marin. “We cannot allow our posture toward crime to become passive or complacent – that could open a door to potential terrorists, criminals and illegal aliens seeking to gain entry to and remain in the United States. These actions undermine and adversely impact the lawful immigration system administered by USCIS and the adjudication of applications for overarching immigration benefits.”
In fiscal year 2019, ICE removed 267,258 individuals. The agency works directly with foreign governments to coordinate the safe return of nationals with final orders of removal from the United States to their home countries. Likewise, the United States routinely cooperates with foreign governments in documenting and accepting its citizens.
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