ICE deports Pennsylvania convicted child predator to Mexico
PHILADELPHIA — A Mexican man convicted of sexually assaulting a minor was returned to his native country Thursday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Jose Palermos, 43, a citizen of Mexico who was residing in Philadelphia, was arrested May 16, 2013, by the Philadelphia Police Department on child exploitation related charges. The victim was a 7-year-old girl. On March 25, Palermos was convicted of corruption of minors and indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age. He was ordered to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law.
"Through various investigative tools, ERO Philadelphia officers identified a convicted felon, who was in the country unlawfully and convicted of a crime against a child less than 13-years-old," said Thomas Decker, field office director for ERO Philadelphia. "The ERO Philadelphia office is committed in keeping the City of Philadelphia safe by removing public safety threats like Palermos from our streets and our country while enforcing the immigration laws of the United States."
Palermos was identified by ERO Philadelphia's Criminal Alien Program (CAP) officers following his May 16, 2013, arrest for unlawfully being in the United States after having entered without inspection. Although CAP officers had placed an immigration detainer against him, he was released from local custody. On March 27, ERO's Violent Criminal Alien Section officers arrested him at his Philadelphia residence on immigration charges.
Palermos arrived via the Brownsville, Texas Gateway port of entry in Matamoros, Mexico, Thursday and was turned over to Mexican law enforcement authorities by ERO officers.
ERO's Criminal Alien Program identifies potentially deportable aliens incarcerated in jails and prisons throughout the United States. CAP officers interview and review inmates' biographical information. Although ERO initiates removal proceedings against criminal aliens through the CAP, these individuals may remain in prison or jail to complete their criminal hearings or sentences. Under CAP, ERO uses a risk-based approach to make determinations about the detention and arrest of criminal aliens, with priority given to cases involving individuals deemed to be a security or public safety threat.
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