ICE deports man convicted of conspiracy to export defense articles

DETROIT — A Belarusian national with federal convictions for conspiracy to export defense articles without a license, conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments was deported Tuesday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Aliaksandr Stashynski, 30, who served a 9-month federal prison sentence, was removed from the United States and turned over to Belarusian authorities at the Minsk International Airport.

Stashynski has been in ICE custody since November 2013 after a detainer was placed on him while he was in custody on the federal charges. An immigration judge ordered him removed earlier this month.

"As a convicted criminal alien, Stashynski is a high ICE priority for removal," said Rebecca Adducci, field office director for ERO Detroit. "The exportation of defense articles without a license can have serious consequences for our troops and our national security."

"Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents in Philadelphia investigated Aliaksandr Stashynski and other Belarusian individuals living in Philadelphia who were acquiring and illegally exporting sensitive U.S. technology to Belarus," said HSI Special Agent in Charge in Philadelphia John P. Kelleghan. "This international investigation led to nine federal indictments, eight guilty pleas, 27 seizures of technology worth more than $200,000 and the seizure of multiple assault weapons, handguns and ammunition. HSI will pursue those who are willing to put America's national security at risk and is committed to continuing to lead the fight in counter proliferation investigations."

In fiscal year 2013, ICE conducted 368,644 removals nationwide. Nearly 60 percent of ICE's total removals had been previously convicted of a criminal offense; 82 percent of individuals removed from the interior of the United States had previously been convicted of a criminal offense.

Other than convicted criminals, the agency's enforcement priorities include those apprehended while attempting to unlawfully enter the United States, illegal re-entrants – individuals who returned to the United States after being previously removed by ICE – and immigration fugitives. In fiscal year 2013, 98 percent of ICE removals met these priorities – a record high.