ICE removes Turkish national wanted to serve remainder of prison sentence
NEW YORK – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) deportation officers removed a Turkish national Sept. 16, wanted in his home country to serve the almost four years remaining on his imposed prison sentence. Ozgur Mavruk, 37, was removed from the United States via a commercial air flight and transferred into the custody of Turkish law enforcement authorities.
“Mavruk was convicted in his home country for drugging and raping a prosecution witness. Mayruk chose to illegally enter our country, avoiding the remainder of his criminal sentence in Turkey,” said Thomas R. Decker, field office director for ERO New York. “Keep in mind that although he hasn’t been arrested in the U.S., Mayruk has a horrific criminal history, remaining to be a threat while hiding in our communities. We at ICE believe in the safety of the public, and that includes the continuous removal of criminal aliens to their home country.”
According to Turkish law enforcement authorities; in February 2009, Mavruk, assisted by others, detained, drugged and raped a prosecution witness in order to compel that witness to change her testimony against the leader of a Turkish criminal organization, of which Mavruk was a member. In May 2013, Mavruk was convicted in Adana High Criminal Court of Adana, Turkey of Restriction of Freedom and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment. On March 17, 2015, Mavruk was arrested by the U.S Border Patrol near Rio Grande City, Texas, after illegally entering the United States, and transferred to ICE custody. On July 29, 2015, Mavruk was released from ICE custody after posting bond. In August 2015, the Public Prosecution Office of Adana, Turkey, issued an arrest warrant for Mavruk to complete a sentence for a conviction of Restriction of Freedom.
On Nov. 26, 2018, ERO’s National Fugitive Operations Program headquarters advised ERO New York that Mavruk was wanted on charges in Turkey. On Dec. 20, 2018, ERO deportation officers arrested Mavruk in Manhattan. On June 20, 2019, Mavruk was ordered removed by an immigration Judge in New York City, paving the way for his removal to Turkey.
ICE removed or returned 256,085 aliens in fiscal year 2018. Enforcement and removal operations arrested 158,581 aliens, 90 percent of whom had criminal convictions, pending criminal charges, or previously issued final orders. The overall arrest figure represents an 11 percent increase over fiscal year 2017.
ICE is focused on removing public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, as well as individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.
Updated: