ICE removes repeat border violator wanted for murder in Mexico

ALEXANDRIA, La. — A Mexican citizen wanted on a murder charge in his home country was removed from the United States Sept. 12 by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

An ICE Air Operations charter flight transported Reynaldo Reyes-Alejandro, 26, from Alexandria to Harlingen, Texas. From there, ERO officers escorted him to the border where he was transferred to Mexican law enforcement custody. ERO officers took Reyes-Alejandro into custody Aug. 29 following his release from federal prison after he served six months for illegally re-entering the United States in February. ERO previously removed him in March 2012, June 2011 and March 2010.

"Violent criminals and egregious immigration violators are among the highest priorities for ICE enforcement. ICE will continue to focus its resources on identifying, arresting and removing individuals who pose the greatest risk to our communities," said Trey Lund, field office director for ERO New Orleans.

Lund oversees a five-state area of operations to include Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Since 2006, ICE Air Operations, headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., has supported ERO by providing mass air transportation and removal coordination services to ERO field offices nationwide. Staffed by ERO officers, these air charter flights enable the agency to repatriate large groups of deportees in an efficient, expeditious and humane manner.

The deportation of Reyes-Alejandro is another example of expanded bi-national cooperation to identify, arrest and repatriate Mexican fugitives who have fled to the United States to avoid prosecution. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Mexico works closely with the Mexican government as part of this effort. Many of the arrested individuals are charged with committing homicide or other violent crimes in Mexico.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 646 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 the HSI Office of International Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.