ICE South Texas officers deport Salvadoran man wanted for aggravated homicide

SAN ANTONIO — A Salvadoran fugitive wanted for aggravated homicide in his home country was deported Tuesday by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

This removal is the latest result of stepped-up collaborative efforts to locate Salvadoran criminal fugitives in the United States and return them to El Salvador to face justice.

Jose Martin Cruz-Martinez, 26, was flown to El Salvador Nov. 15 and turned over to Salvadoran officials. The El Salvador arrest warrant states that on Aug. 8, 2014, Cruz-Martinez shot and killed a man who was a passenger riding in a motorcycle taxi. Cruz-Martinez told authorities that the victim was a member of “La Pandilla 18,” a well- known street gang in El Salvador.  On Dec. 15, 2015, a judge in El Salvador issued the warrant for Cruz-Martinez’s arrest.

Cruz-Martinez was arrested Aug. 9, 2016, near Hidalgo, Texas, by U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Border Patrol and transferred to ICE custody. In October, an immigration judge ordered Cruz-Martinez removed to El Salvador.

On Aug. 17, 2016, ERO San Antonio received information from the Foreign Service National Investigator (FSNI) in El Salvador that Cruz was the subject of an active Interpol Red Notice regarding his role in an aggravated homicide.

ERO officers removed Cruz-Martinez Nov. 15, and turned him over to Salvadoran authorities.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 1,700 foreign fugitives from the United States who were sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with the ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Office of International Operations, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the United States. Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE tip line at 1 (866) 347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.

ERO coordinates the removal of criminals, foreign fugitives and others ordered deported. In 2015 alone, ERO removed 235,413 individuals from the United States. ICE is focused on smart and effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes its resources based on those who pose the biggest threat to national security, border security and public safety. ICE’s civil enforcement efforts are based on priorities set by the Secretary of Homeland Security in November 2014.

ICE Air History

ICE routinely uses special air charters to transport aliens who have final orders of removal from an immigration judge. Staffed by ICE ERO Air Operations officers, these air charters enable the agency to repatriate large groups of deportees in an efficient, expeditious and humane manner.

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