ICE removes Kosovan national wanted for robbery and weapons possession
NEW YORK — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) removed a Kosovan national Monday who is wanted in his home country after being convicted of robbery and weapons possession charges.
Lulzim Neziri, 28, was escorted by ERO deportation officers via a commercial airlines flight, and transferred into the custody of Kosovan law enforcement authorities upon arrival to the capital city of Pristina.
“This individuals criminal history in his home country shows that he posed a danger to the community here in the U.S.,” said Thomas Decker, field office director for ERO New York. “The brave deportation officers of ERO continue their public safety efforts seeking to make our communities safer for all residents, despite the lack of cooperation and reckless policies being enacted by local and state entities here in New York.”
According to Kosovan law enforcement authorities, in December 2014, Neziri along with two others, used an automatic rifle during the carjacking of a van carrying tobacco products worth 74,000 Euros. Neziri was subsequently convicted of robbery, and the unauthorized ownership, control, or possession of a weapon in violation of Article 329(3) and 374(1) of the Criminal Code of Kosovo, and sentenced to three years and five months imprisonment. Neziri has three years, one month, and 21 days remaining to serve on that sentence.
On July 29, 2016, Neziri was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol in Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and detained in ICE custody. On Oct. 4, 2016, Neziri posted bond, and was released from ICE custody. On Feb. 21, 2018, ERO Headquarters in Washington, D.C., advised ERO New York that Neziri was wanted on charges in Kosovo and may be residing in the New York City metropolitan area. On April 13, 2018, Neziri was arrested by ERO deportation officers in the Bronx, New York. On Jan. 18, 2019, an immigration judge ordered Neziri removed, paving the way for his removal to Kosovo.
ICE removed or returned 258,085 aliens in fiscal year 2018. Enforcement and removal operations arrested 158,581 aliens, 90 percent of whom had criminal convictions, pending criminal charges, or previously issued final orders. The overall arrest figure represents an 11 percent increase over fiscal year 2017.
ICE is focused on removing public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, as well as individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.
Updated: