ICE returns Dominican national wanted for human smuggling which led to the death of 3 minors

MIAMI – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Edgar Batista Matos, 36, a Dominican national wanted in his home country for human smuggling leading to the death of three minors, on March 4 when he departed Miami International Airport on board an ICE removal flight to his destination at Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He was turned over to law enforcement authorities upon his arrival.

Batista Matos has been removed from the United States on three previous occasions. His first removal was on Oct. 8, 2010, when he was encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol after he entered illegally near Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. He was then encountered and removed again in 2011, 2019 and 2023.

He was arrested by police in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in September 2024 after a warrant was issued by law enforcement in the Dominican Republic for his connection with the fatal alien smuggling venture. Batista Matos came into ICE custody Feb. 6 and was transferred to Miami pending his removal.

“The return of this fugitive to the Dominican Republic is a prime example of how ICE works closely with our international law enforcement partners to identify, locate and remove criminal aliens who are wanted in their country for allegedly committing crimes,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Miami acting Field Office Director Juan Lopez Vega. “ICE prioritizes the arrest and removal of criminal alien fugitives. As a result, our communities are safer and more secure.”

ICE coordinated the removal of Batista Matos with the Dominican National Police.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

For more news and information on ICE ERO’s efforts to enforce our nation’s immigration laws follow us on X at @EROMiami.