ICE deports Argentinean wanted as only witness in unsolved juvenile murder
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina– A 67-year-old Argentinean wanted in connection with the unsolved murder of a juvenile in Argentina was removed Jan. 22 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Carlo Figueroa-Macedo, who entered the United States in 1977 as a lawful immigrant, was ordered removed by an immigration judge in August 2011. Figueroa-Macedo’s lawful status was revoked based on his criminal convictions involving moral turpitude. His convictions include multiple counts of possession of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia, burglary, trespassing, grand theft and domestic violence.
Since 2011, Figueroa-Macedo filed numerous appeals that were found not to have merit. His removal was part of a special, high-risk charter flight, given that he had physically obstructed prior removal attempts.
“The removal of Figueroa-Macedo is indicative of ERO’s resolve in carrying out the laws of our nation,” said Corey Katz, ERO deputy assistant director for the Removal Management Division. “This removal should put those who attempt to be combative during the removal process on notice. Our message is clear: it’s not a matter of if we will remove you, it’s a matter of when.”
ERO is responsible for coordinating the removal of criminals, foreign fugitives and others ordered deported. Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO assistant attachés for repatriation have assisted with the removal of 720 foreign fugitives from the United States who were being sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder.
In fiscal year 2015, ICE removed or returned 235,413 individuals. Of those, 165,935 were apprehended while, or shortly after, attempting to illegally enter the United States. The remaining 69,478 were apprehended in the interior of the United States, and the vast majority of these were convicted criminals who fell within ICE's civil immigration enforcement priorities.
Ninety-eight percent of ICE's fiscal year 2015 removals and returns fell into one or more of ICE's civil immigration enforcement priorities, with 86 percent falling in Priority 1 and eight percent in Priority 2. In addition, ICE's interior enforcement activities led to an increase in the percentage of interior removals that were convicted criminals, growing from 82 percent in fiscal year 2013 to 91 percent in fiscal year 2015.
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