ICE repatriates Guatemalan woman wanted for attempted murder

BOSTON — A Guatemalan national wanted for attempted murder in her native country was turned over to Guatemalan law enforcement personnel Thursday after her arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in central Massachusetts.

Mildred Betzaida Giron-Acebedo, 27, was transferred to the custody of the Guatemalan National Police in Guatemala City. Giron is the subject of an arrest warrant issued in Guatemala in October 2011. Giron was originally arrested by ERO in Fitchburg for illegally reentering the United States after being previously removed from the country in 2006. After coordinating with the ICE Attache in Guatemala, Giron's criminal record was quickly discovered.

"As this case makes clear, a person's U.S. conviction history is not always a reflection of whether or not they pose a threat to public safety," said Sean Gallagher, field office director of ERO Boston. "The repatriation of this fugitive suspect is the direct result of the ongoing cooperation between U.S. law enforcement and our Guatemalan counterparts. Violent criminals who believe they can evade justice by fleeing to the U.S. should be on notice they will find no refuge here."

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's Office of International Operations, foreign consular offices in the United States and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.