Utah ICE officers deport man wanted for murder in Mexico
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A Mexican man wanted for murder in his home country was removed (deported) Wednesday by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Alberto Abelardo Pulido-Garcia, 46, was arrested by ICE officers without incident in West Valley, Utah, Oct. 25, 2019. Pulido-Garcia is a fugitive wanted for murder in Mexico.
“Our professional officers prioritize the arrest and removal of dangerous criminal aliens from our communities,” said Robert Culley field office director, ERO Utah. “Pulido-Garcia needed to return to his home country to face justice, and we were happy to oblige the Mexican government.”
On Oct. 25, 2017, Pulido-Garcia legally entered the United States through San Ysidro, California, on a temporary tourist visa. He violated the terms of that visa by illegally remaining in the U.S. without permission, and he made his way to Utah.
Pulido-Garcia was convicted Feb. 12, 2019, for DWAI in the West Valley City Justice Court, Salt Lake County, Utah, and was sentenced to 180 days in jail. He was encountered at his place of employment in West Valley Utah and detained by officers.
An immigration judge ordered Pulido-Garcia removed Oct. 28, 2019; he remained in ICE custody until he could be removed to Mexico Nov. 13.
Pulido-Garcia was removed to Mexico via the Stanton Street Bridge in El Paso, Texas, and handed to Mexican authorities to face justice for his alleged crimes in his home country.
ICE removed or returned 256,085 aliens in fiscal year 2018. ERO arrested 158,581 aliens, 90 percent of whom had criminal convictions, pending criminal charges, or previously issued final orders. The overall arrest figure represents an 11 percent increase over fiscal year 2017.
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.
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