ICE pays tribute to victims and survivors of Rwandan Genocide

The men and women of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) pay tribute to the victims and survivors of the Rwandan genocide that began 20 years ago in April.

April 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, in which half a million to one million Rwandans perished in just 100 days. In remembering the terrible events of the Rwandan genocide, ICE remains vigilant to all expressions of hatred, persecution and tyranny and affirms its commitment to seek justice for victims of the Rwandan genocide and other human rights atrocities around the world.

"ICE remembers and mourns this horrific chapter in human history," said Thomas Winkowski, principal deputy assistant secretary for ICE. "The genocide was a nightmare for the people of Rwanda. Anyone who had any involvement in crimes committed during those 100 days is unwelcome in the United States."

ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is responsible for ensuring that perpetrators of war crimes, genocide, torture and other gross human rights abuses do not evade justice and accountability for the their crimes by hiding in the United States. ICE's Human Rights Violators and War Crime Center (HRVWCC) spearheads this critical mission.

Since 2003, ICE has used its authorities to deny immigration benefits, prosecute, extradite and remove from the United States individuals suspected of committing human rights violations or persecuting others during the Rwandan genocide. The HRVWCC has also sought to deny entry to the United States of perpetrators of human rights abuses during the Rwandan genocide. The HRVWCC continues to investigate individuals present in the United States suspected of committing human rights violations in Rwanda and other global conflicts and, whenever possible, endeavors to bring perpetrators to face justice for their crimes.

ICE's investigations have led to successful administrative and criminal prosecutions against alleged participants in the Rwandan genocide, including Enos Iragaba Kagaba, the first person found by an immigration judge to be inadmissible to the United States based on genocide; Jean-Marie Vianney Mudahinyuka, a leader of one of the civilian militias that perpetrated the genocide; and Beatrice Munyenyezi, recently convicted of naturalization fraud that included misrepresentations concerning her role in ordering more than two dozen Tusis to be raped and murdered during the genocide.

During the past 11 years, ICE has arrested more than 250 individuals for human rights related violations and removed more than 640 known or suspected human rights violators from the United States. The Center is currently pursuing more than 1,850 leads on individuals from 97 countries.

Members of the public who have information about foreign nationals suspected of engaging in human rights abuses, war crimes, acts of genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings and/or the recruitment and use of child soldiers anywhere in the world are urged to call the ICE tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) or to complete the agency's online tip form. Tips may be provided anonymously. To learn more about the assistance available to victims in these cases, the public should contact ICE's confidential victim-witness toll-free number at 1-866-872-4973.