I.C.E. News Release

ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL

07/23/2015

2 Central American fugitives removed by ICE

NEWARK, New Jersey — Two men who fled from Central America to evade criminal charges were removed within days of each other by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Both men departed from the Newark, New Jersey, field office last week.

On July 17, officers removed Alexander Mendoza-Hernandez to El Salvador, where he was wanted for extortion. Mendoza Hernandez, a known MS-13 gang member, was immediately handed over to Salvadoran authorities upon arrival in his home country. According to court documents, he and his MS-13 associates allegedly threatened the shareholders of a Salvadoran business by requesting recurring payments of $500 in U.S. currency.

Mendoza Hernandez, who illegally entered the United States at an unknown place and time, was ordered removed by an immigration judge May 28, 2015.

In a separate case, Cesar David Rodriguez Lopez, of Guatemala, was wanted by Guatemalan authorities on three criminal warrants for charges involving embezzlement, fraud and forged documents. According to court records, he used an elaborate pyramid scheme to defraud lenders and unsuspecting customers out of approximately $20,000 in U.S. currency. He was turned over to Guatemalan authorities July 15.

Rodriguez Lopez illegally entered the country without admission or parole. He was ordered removed by an immigration judge May 29, 2015.

“The United States will not be used as a safe haven by foreign criminals evading justice,” said Newark ERO Field Office Director John Tsoukaris. “Our message is clear: if you are unlawfully present in our country and running from justice, you will be found and removed.”

In fiscal year 2014, ERO removed 315,943 individuals from the United States. In addition to convicted criminals, the agency's enforcement priorities include those apprehended while attempting to unlawfully enter the United States, illegal re-entrants – individuals who returned to the United States after being previously removed by ICE – and immigration fugitives.

In fiscal year 2014, 98 percent of ICE removals met these priorities.

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/2-...es-removed-ice