US Ambassador to Brazil recognizes HSI special agent for work during vice president’s visit

It’s not every day you can represent your country by working at an embassy abroad or help protect your country’s vice president, unless of course, you work for the Secret Service. These are opportunities that some can only dream of, but for a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent, these dreams became a reality.

On Friday, HSI special agent Alvin Medina was recognized by U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Liliana Ayalde for his outstanding support during the vice president’s Brazil visit during the 2014 World Cup.

Medina has been assigned to HSI Brasilia since November 2010 and has been instrumental in building key diplomatic alliances to further the HSI mission abroad. Medina quickly assimilated to life in Brazil. He learned the language and developed important working relationships with Brazilian law enforcement authorities.

Medina has been instrumental in the development of key criminal cases. His most recent accomplishment was in helping track down two Brazilian fugitives sought for attempted murder, embezzlement and fraud. Because of Medina, HSI was able to establish their whereabouts and arrest them last week.

Through its International Operations, HSI has 65 operational attaché offices in 46 countries around the world. HSI special agents work closely with foreign law enforcement agencies through a robust network of specialized, vetted units known as Transnational Criminal Investigative Units. Additionally, HSI brings personnel from host countries to the United States to train at the Department of Homeland Security Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.