ICE South Texas officers deport Salvadoran man wanted for aggravated robbery and prison break
SAN ANTONIO — A Salvadoran fugitive wanted for aggravated robbery and a prison break 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 Ever Bonilla-Rodriguez, 33, was flown to El Salvador Nov. 29 and turned over to Salvadoran officials. The El Salvador arrest warrant states that on Sept. 25, 2012, Bonilla-Rodriguez was sent to prison for his role in an aggravated robbery. On March 6, 2013, he escaped from prison and was on the run until he was captured near McAllen, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2016, by U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Border Patrol.
“Today's removal of Bonilla-Rodriguez reflects ERO's commitment to public safety in the United States and also abroad,” said San Antonio Field Office Director Daniel Bible. "His case should send a message to others like him that the United States will not be used as a safe haven for those fleeing justice.”
Bonilla-Rodriguez was first arrested April 12, 2006, by U.S. Border Patrol agents near Arivaca, Arizona. He was transferred to ICE custody. On April 20, 2006, a federal immigration judge ordered his removal. ERO officers from Phoenix, Arizona removed him to El Salvador May 10 that same year.
Ten years later, Bonilla-Rodriguez was again arrested while illegally re-entering the United States near McAllen, Texas. He was immediately transferred to ICE custody where he remained until his removal Nov. 29.
On Sept. 7, 2016, ERO San Antonio received information from the Foreign Service National Investigator (FSNI) in El Salvador that Bonilla-Rodriguez was the subject of an active Interpol Red Notice regarding his role in an aggravated robbery and prison break.
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.
Updated: