I.C.E. News Release

May 3, 2010

Accused murderer deported to Guatemala

NEW ORLEANS - A man who was wanted for a murder in Guatemala in 2008 was deported and turned over to Guatemalan authorities on Thursday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

Juan Antonio Vasquez, 41, a Guatemalan national, was transported via an ICE-charted aircraft and turned over to authorities April 29 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

"ICE works closely with our international law enforcement partners to identify, locate and deport aliens who are wanted in their home countries for allegedly committing heinous crimes," said Philip Miller, field office director of the ICE Office of Detention and Removal Operations in New Orleans. "We will not allow criminal aliens to use the United States as a safe haven from their crimes." Miller oversees the 5-state area of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee.

Vasquez entered the United States on or about April 4, 2009, in New York City as a nonimmigrant visitor with authorization to remain in the United States for a temporary period not to extend beyond Oct. 3, 2009. When initially questioned by ICE special agents, Vasquez presented fraudulent identification documents. Upon further questioning, he admitted that he was Juan Antonio Vasquez, and that he was in the United States illegally.

The removal was coordinated with ICE's Office of International Affairs, ICE Attaché Guatemala, ICE Flight Operations and the New Orleans Office of Chief Counsel.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE comprises four integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.

Last Modified: Tuesday, May 4, 2010
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/1005/100503neworleans.htm