Mexican national wanted for aggravated homicide arrested by ERO Chicago

CHICAGO — Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Chicago arrested a 44-year-old unlawfully present fugitive being sought by law enforcement authorities in Mexico for aggravated homicide. Deportation officers from ERO Chicago assigned to the juvenile unit apprehended the Mexican national March 11 during a vehicle stop in Chicago.

“We refuse to tolerate individuals who commit crimes, especially acts as egregious as murder,” said ERO Chicago Assistant Field Office Director Frank Padula. “Our dedication to safeguarding our communities remains unwavering, and we will persist in our efforts to protect the public from anyone who poses a threat.”

In September 2005 and December 2023, U.S. Border Patrol arrested the Mexican national in Eagle Pass, Texas. Border Patrol agents processed the noncitizen as a voluntary return and returned them to Mexico the same day on both occasions.

On an unknown date and location, the Mexican fugitive entered the United States without inspection, admission or parole by an immigration officer.

ERO Chicago initially learned of the Mexican warrant in January 2024, after being contacted by ERO’s assistant attaché for removal in Mexico City, Mexico. The noncitizen will remain in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody pending removal proceedings.

ERO conducts removals of individuals without a lawful basis to remain in the United States, including at the order of immigration judges with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). EOIR is a separate entity from the Department of Homeland Security and ICE. Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case, determining if a noncitizen is subject to a final order of removal or eligible for certain forms of relief from removal.

In fiscal year 2023, ERO made 170,590 administrative arrests, a 19.5% increase over the previous year. ERO arrested 73,822 noncitizens with a criminal history; those arrested had an average of four charges and convictions per individual, including more than 33,209 charges or convictions for assault, 7,520 for weapons offenses, 1,713 for homicide-related offenses, and 1,615 for kidnapping. Removals also included 3,406 known or suspected gang members, 139 known or suspected terrorists, seven human rights violators, and 108 foreign fugitives wanted by their governments for crimes including homicide, rape, terrorism and kidnapping. Also in fiscal year 2023, ERO conducted 142,580 removals to more than 170 countries worldwide.

As one of ICE’s three operational directorates, ERO is the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO’s mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency’s detained and non-detained populations and the repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO’s workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.

Members of the public can report crime and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROChicago.