ICE removes Mexican fugitive wanted in Sonora for possession for military firearms
PHOENIX, Ariz. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), removed Miguel Donato Aviles-Yocupicio, a Mexican national wanted in his country for carrying firearms and being in possession of firearm cartridges, on Dec. 29.
On Oct. 15, 2019, the Sixth District Court in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, issued an arrest warrant against Aviles-Yocupicio. The warrant alleges he carried firearms and firearm cartridges designated for the exclusive use of the Mexican military.
Aviles-Yocupicio came into ICE custody on Nov. 30 after Phoenix Police arrested him for possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia. On Dec. 16, an immigration judge granted him voluntary departure under safeguards to Mexico.
“Criminals who attempt to evade their home country’s law enforcement reach will not find refuge in Arizona,” said Albert Carter, acting ERO Field Office Director in Phoenix. “ICE will continue to work with our international counterparts to aggressively pursue criminals who threaten the public safety of our local-area communities.”
ICE ERO transferred Aviles-Yocupicio to the custody of Mexican authorities at the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona.
ICE has removed hundreds of thousands of criminal aliens since the agency was established in March 2003.
In FY 2020, ICE ERO conducted 103,603 administrative arrests, which included aliens with criminal charges or convictions for 1,837 homicide offenses, 37,247 assault offenses and 10,302 sexual assault or sex offenses. In total, ICE ERO conducted 185,884 removals. The vast majority of ICE ERO’s interior removals – 92% – had criminal convictions or pending criminal charges.
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 reentered the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.
Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE Tip Line at 1 (866) 347-2423, or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.
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