ICE Houston deports Honduran man wanted for murder
HOUSTON — A Honduran fugitive wanted in his native country for murder was deported Monday by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Alvaro Garcia-Medina, 38, was flown to Honduras Sept. 29 onboard a charter flight coordinated by ICE’s Air Operations (IAO) Unit. Upon arrival, Garcia-Medina was turned over to Honduran officials.
“Identifying and removing foreign fugitives from the United States is an ICE priority,” said Steven P. Boll, field office director of ERO Houston. “The cooperation between the United States and Honduran governments resulted in this foreign fugitive being safely returned to his home country where he will stand trial for his alleged crimes.”
Honduran authorities issued an arrest warrant May 30, 2013 for Garcia-Medina on homicide charges.
While attempting to locate another fugitive at a local residence Oct. 11, 2013, agents with Houston ERO Fugitive Operations encountered and arrested Garcia-Medina. He had been previously deported to Honduras in April 2009. Garcia-Medina was administratively processed and his previous final order of removal was reinstated.
Since 2006, IAO has supported ERO by providing mass air transportation and removal coordination services to ERO field offices nationwide. Staffed by ERO officers, these air charters enable the agency to repatriate large groups of deportees in an efficient, expeditious and humane manner.
Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 720 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 Operations, foreign consular offices in the United States and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.
Since 2006, ICE Air Operations has supported ERO by providing mass air transportation and removal coordination services to ERO field offices nationwide. Staffed by ERO officers, these air charters enable the agency to repatriate large groups of deportees in an efficient, expeditious and humane manner.
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