ICE removes Honduran man wanted for murder

DETROIT — A Honduran national wanted for murder in his home country was removed from the United States Friday by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Cristian Alexander Castillo-Rodriguez, 36, was convicted in January 2014 for domestic violence in Franklin County, Ohio. While in local custody, ICE filed an immigration detainer on Castillo-Rodriguez after an anonymous tip from the HSI Tip Line indicated he was wanted in his home country on murder charges. While making preparations for his removal, ERO officers used his fingerprints to confirm that he was in fact the subject of an outstanding homicide warrant issued by the San Pedro Sula Criminal Court last year.

"The arrest and removal of criminal aliens is at the absolute core of what we do," said Rebecca Adducci, field office director for ERO Detroit. "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. I'm very fortunate to lead a team of officers who day in and day out exhibit unmatched skill and professionalism in the pursuit of criminal aliens."

Castillo-Rodriguez was removed by ERO officers via ICE Air March 28, and turned over to Honduran authorities.

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 Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Office of International Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.

In fiscal year 2013, ICE conducted 368,644 removals nationwide. Nearly 60 percent of ICE's total removals had been previously convicted of a criminal offense; 82 percent of individuals removed from the interior of the United States had previously been convicted of a criminal offense.

Other than 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 2013, 98 percent of ICE removals met these priorities – a record high.