ERO St. Paul removes foreign fugitive wanted in Honduras for murder

ST. PAUL, Minn. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) St. Paul removed an unlawfully present noncitizen foreign fugitive wanted in Honduras for murder April 14.

A flight coordinated by ICE’s Air Operations Unit brought Orlando Orellana Calix, 38, from Eppley Airfield Airport in Omaha, Nebraska, to Alexandria International Airport in Alexandria, Louisiana, April 12. On April 14, Orellana Calix was flown from Alexandria International Airport to Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, where he was transferred to Honduran authorities.

On June 19, 2017, Orellana Calix entered the United States near Eagle Pass, Texas, without inspection. U.S. Border Patrol arrested him on June 20, 2017, and served him a notice and order of expedited removal. On June 27, 2017, U.S. Border Patrol transferred Orellana Calix to ERO San Antonio pending removal. On Aug. 22, 2017, ERO San Antonio released Orellana Calix after posting bond.

On Sept. 14, 2021, ERO New Orleans was notified Orellana Calix was wanted in Honduras for murder.

ERO St. Paul encountered Orellana Calix Sept. 6, 2022, at the Story County Jail in Nevada, Iowa, following his arrest that same day by the Ames Police Department for operating under the influence, and lodged a detainer. On Nov. 2, 2022, the Story County Court convicted Orellana Calix of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and sentenced him to two days incarceration. On Nov. 4, 2022, ERO St. Paul arrested Orellana Calix at the Story County Jail and transferred him to the Polk County Jail.

On Feb. 10, 2023, an immigration judge with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review issued a final order of removal for Orellana Calix.

Orellana Calix remained in ERO custody until his recent removal from the United States.

ICE officers make enforcement decisions on a case-by-case basis in a professional and responsible manner, informed by their experience as law enforcement officials and in a way that best protects against the greatest threats to the homeland.

In fiscal year 2022, ERO arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories. This group had 198,498 associated charges and convictions, including 21,531 assault offenses; 8,164 sex and sexual assault offenses; 5,554 weapons offenses; 1,501 homicide-related offenses; and 1,114 kidnapping offenses.

The ERO St. Paul field office oversees sub-offices in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska.

As one of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) three operational directorates, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) is the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO’s mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency’s detained and non-detained populations, and repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO’s workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings, and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.

Members of the public can report crimes and/or suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in your community on Twitter @EROSaintPaul.