ICE deports Salvadoran man wanted for extortion
NEWARK, N.J. — A Salvadoran national wanted for extortion in his home country was removed from the United States by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Pedro Dubon-Interiano was arrested Nov. 13, 2014, after the U.S. Marshals Service alerted ERO Newark that he was being sought by Interpol on extortion charges.
He illegally entered the United States in July 2012 near Hidalgo, Texas, and an immigration judge ordered him removed Jan. 15. He was turned over Wednesday to authorities in El Salvador.
"Criminals who flee their home countries will not find refuge here," said ERO Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris. "ICE uses its unique immigration enforcement authorities to safeguard our communities from criminal aliens and others who pose a public safety threat, including suspects attempting to evade law enforcement."
This removal was part of ERO’s Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) Initiative. The SAFE Initiative is geared toward the identification of foreign fugitives who are wanted abroad and removable under US immigration law.
In just three years, through the SAFE Initiative, ERO has removed more than 500 criminal fugitives to El Salvador. Those removed as part of the SAFE Initiative have been deemed ineligible to remain in the United States and were all wanted by the Policia Nacional Civil (PNC), El Salvador’s national police.
In fiscal year 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 year 2014, 98 percent of ICE removals met these priorities.
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