ICE removes Mexican woman wanted in Mexico for financial crimes
Mexican authorities claim money was taken from bank vault
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers removed a Mexican woman wanted for financial crimes in her home of country of Mexico Wednesday.
Maria Guadalupe Chavero-Jimenez, 30, is accused of taking money from Banco Santender, Mexico. According to Mexican authorities, in 2016, bank officials reported a total of $1.6 million pesos, approximately $85,000 U.S. dollars, had been taken from a bank vault. The bank launched an internal investigation and learned that Chavero-Jimenez, who had access to the vault, had allegedly taken the money.
"The Chavero-Jimenez case shows how effective corporation between the U.S. and Mexican law enforcement helps keep our communities safe," said Daniel Bible, field office director for ERO San Antonio. "Chavero-Jimenez was returned to Mexico to stand trial for her alleged crime. ICE routinely removes fugitives from the United States so they can face justice in their home country."
On Jan. 22, Chavero-Jimenez was encountered by Corpus Christi Police Department during a minor traffic violation. Shortly after her arrest, Chavero-Jimenez was turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol (BP) in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. On Jan. 23, she was transferred to ICE custody and taken to the El Valle Detention Center, Raymondville, Texas. While in custody, ICE officers received confirmation that Chavero-Jimenez had an active arrest warrant in Mexico for financial crimes. On May 4, an immigration judge issued her a final order of removal.
Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 3,700 foreign fugitives from the United States who were sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. In fiscal year 2019, ICE removed or returned 267,000 aliens. ERO arrested 143,000 aliens, more than 86 percent of whom 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 re-entered the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.
Updated: