ICE deports man wanted for murder and assault in Mexico

HOUSTON — A man from Mexico, who is wanted for homicide and aggravated assault in his home country, was deported and turned over to Mexican law enforcement officials Wednesday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Jorge Perez-Hernandez, 27, was transferred to the custody of Mexican law enforcement authorities by ERO officers from Houston. A warrant for homicide and aggravated assault was issued for Perez-Hernandez by Mexican officials in March 2007.

Perez-Hernandez's removal to Mexico follows his Jan. 27 arrest on administrative immigration violations. A tip led to his arrest at his residence by officers from ERO, FBI and Houston Police Department.

Record checks revealed that Perez-Hernandez had been previously deported to Mexico in December 2006. Anyone who re-enters the United States after having been formally deported commits a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Perez-Hernandez was charged with improperly entering the United States by an alien and placed in U.S. Marshals Service custody. He was convicted of the charge March 26, 2012, and was returned to ERO custody the following day in preparation for his removal.

"Returning this murder suspect is a direct result of close collaboration with our law enforcement partners in Mexico," said Steve Boll, acting field office director for ERO Houston. "ICE will continue to use our immigration enforcement authorities to promote public safety."

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 335 foreign fugitives from the United States who were being sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with ICE's Office of International Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.