ICE removes Mara 18th Street Gang member to El Salvador

PHILADELPHIA — On May 15, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers removed a fugitive wanted by Salvadoran authorities for aggravated homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide, and terrorist organization membership.

Carlos Alfredo Luna-Guebara, 26, entered the United States on an unknown date and at an unknown location without admission or parole by an immigration officer.

On Feb. 25, the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, convicted him on local charges.

On Feb. 26, Allegheny County Jail released him to ERO Philadelphia custody. ERO Philadelphia issued Luna-Guebara a Notice to Appear (NTA), charging removability pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act, as an alien who is present in the United States without admission or parole by an immigration officer.

On March 6, ERO Philadelphia obtained a certified copy of the judgement and commitment, and amended the NTA to additionally charge him as an alien convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.

On April 8, an immigration judge in York, Pennsylvania ordered him removed from the United States to El Salvador. Luna-Guebara waived his right to appeal.

On April 11, ERO Philadelphia received and confirmed an outstanding arrest warrant for Luna-Guebara for terrorist organization membership, aggravated homicide, and conspiracy to commit aggravated homicide in El Salvador. Salvadoran officials also indicated he is a documented active gang member for the Mara 18th criminal street gang.

He was turned over to Salvadoran authorities without incident.