ICE Houston deports Honduran woman wanted for kidnapping

HOUSTON — A Honduran woman wanted in her native country for kidnapping was deported Tuesday by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Celim Maricruz Perez-Lopez, 22, was flown to Honduras June 10 onboard a charter flight coordinated by ICE's Air Operations (IAO) Unit. Upon arrival, the suspect was turned over to Honduran officials.

"Identifying and removing foreign fugitives from the United States is an ICE priority," said Steve Boll, field office director of ERO Houston. "The cooperation between the United States and El Salvadoran governments resulted in this foreign fugitive being safely returned to her home country where she can stand trial for her alleged crimes."

Perez-Lopez was arrested Dec. 19, 2013 in Eagle Pass, Texas, by agents with U.S. Border Patrol while illegally entering the United States. She was convicted of illegal entry and sentenced to 30 days in prison. After serving time, Perez-Lopez was transferred to ICE custody Jan. 16. She was subsequently ordered to be removed from the United States by an immigration judge on March 20.

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 Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country