ICE removes man wanted for aggravated murder in Mexico

WASHINGTON — A Mexican national wanted in Mexico for aggravated homicide was returned Wednesday by officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Washington, and turned over to Mexico police at the Gateway International Bridge in Brownsville, Tex.

Alfonso Rodriguez-Oriztico, 38, twice attempted to enter the U.S. illegally in 2003 and was apprehended and removed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after presenting fraudulent and stolen documents at the Calexico Port of Entry in Calexico, Calif.

At some point after 2003 Rodriguez illegally entered the U.S. and had various run-ins with Virginia law enforcement. In 2008 and again in 2009 he was convicted of driving while intoxicated.

In March of 2013, the Attorney General of Mexico, Procuraduria General de la Republica (PRG) notified ICE that Rodriguez was a fugitive of Mexico and possibly residing in the Washington, D.C., metro area and had an active warrant for Rodriguez for aggravated homicide in Mexico. ERO Washington apprehended Rodriguez in May and in December an immigration court judge finalized his removal proceedings.

"ICE is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes the removal of criminal aliens, recent border crossers and those wanted in their home country for aggravated offenses," said M. Yvonne Evans, field office director for ERO Washington. "One cannot come to the U.S. to escape from their illegal actions in their home country."

ERO enforces the nation's immigration laws by identifying and arresting removable aliens, and by detaining and removing priority aliens from the United States. ERO prioritizes the arrest and removal of convicted criminal aliens, those aliens who pose a threat to national security, immigration fugitives and recent border entrants.