ICE deports El Salvadoran to face murder charges
PHILADELPHIA — An El Salvadoran wanted in his home country to face murder charges for the death of a prosecuting attorney was deported from the United States and handed over to authorities in San Salvador today by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
According to Salvadoran authorities Miguel Orellana-Hernandez, 27, was allegedly involved in the March 7 gang-related killing of Andrés Ernesto Oliva Tejada, prosecuting attorney in the homicide unit of the Salvadoran Attorney General’s Office. Olivia was shot several times and killed by MS-13 gang members while he parked his car.
On May 19 El Salvadoran authorities issued an arrest warrant for Orellana-Hernandez, who is considered by authorities to be a principle conspirator in Olivia’s assassination. An Interpol notice alerted international law enforcement May 21.
Orellana was already in ICE custody since he was apprehended April 15 by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers near Laredo, Texas, soon after he swam across the Rio Grande River. CBP handed him over to ICE where he remained in custody until his removal today.
A suspected accomplice, Carlos Vidal Navarro Montesinos, was also apprehended by CBP while attempting to illegally enter the United States through Texas June 11. He’s now in ICE custody and is in expedited removal proceedings.
“This country will not be a refuge for criminals,” said Tom Decker, ERO Philadelphia field office director. “We will continue to seek out and deport wanted criminals to ensure they face justice in their home countries.”
ICE prioritizes the use of enforcement personnel, detention space and removal assets to support the civil immigration enforcement priorities. By taking criminals who pose public safety threats off community streets and removing them from the country, ICE addresses a significant security and public safety vulnerability.
In fiscal 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 2014, 98 percent of ICE removals met these priorities.
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