By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Border Patrol agents continue to release violent criminals into the U.S. who are later arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers thousands of miles away. While numerous examples exist, in three recent cases, Border Patrol agents in Arizona released violent criminals who were later arrested nearly 3,000 miles away in New England.
On June 12, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations-Boston agents arrested an Ecuadorian illegally living in Northampton, Massachusetts, who was wanted by Ecuadorian authorities.
He first entered the country illegally on June 4, 2021, when he was arrested by Border Patrol agents near San Luis, Arizona. Instead of processing him for removal, the agents issued him a “notice to appear” before a federal immigration judge at a date in the future and released him into the U.S.
No derogatory information, including his criminal record, came up when Border Patrol performed a background check, primarily because the background check relies on crimes committed in the U.S. registered in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, authorities have explained to The Center Square. No shared criminal database exists between U.S. and Ecuadoran authorities.
He illegally entered Arizona after fleeing Ecuador to escape going to prison after he was arrested and charged with raping a minor and invasion of privacy.
It wasn’t until after May 16, 2023, when Ecuadorian authorities issued an arrest warrant for him as a fugitive that he was known to U.S. authorities.
It would take nearly another year, not until June 12, 2024, for ICE ERO Boston deportation officers to take him into custody.
“This Ecuadorian fugitive is facing some very serious charges, but instead of facing the justice system, he fled and attempted to take refuge in Massachusetts,” ICE ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd Lyons said. “He posed a significant threat to the children of our communities, and we cannot allow that to continue.”
Critics argue a significant threat wouldn’t exist if Border Patrol agents were properly vetting and processing for removal illegal border crossers under the law. While Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claims they are being vetted, the DHS Inspector General has repeatedly refuted this argument. One recent OIG report found that even after Congress allocated $1 billion for facial recognition and other technology to perform background checks, extensive vetting deficiencies exist, The Center Square reported. Another found federal agents aren’t detaining illegal border crossers, and because of Mayorkas policies, are processing those deemed inadmissible under the law for release, not removal, The Center Square reported.
In another case, on May 31, ICE ERO Boston agents apprehended a Dominican national charged with trafficking cocaine, distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine and carrying a dangerous weapon in Milford, Massachusetts.
He was first apprehended on Sept. 8, 2023, after illegally entering the U.S. near Lukeville, Arizona. Instead of processing him for removal, Border Patrol agents gave him a “notice to appear” before a federal immigration judge at a date in the future and released him.
Six months later, in March, Milford Police Department officers arrested and charged him with trafficking cocaine, distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine and carrying a dangerous weapon – double edged knife.
On the same day he was arrested and charged, ICE ERO Boston agents issued an immigration detainer against him with the Milford Police Department. “However, the department ignored the immigration detainer and released him from custody on an unknown date prior to his appearance in the Milford District Court,” ICE said. It would take another two months before ICE could locate and arrest him. He remains in ICE custody pending his removal proceedings.
In another case, on May 25, ICE ERO Boston agents apprehended another Dominican in Providence, Rhode Island.
He first entered the country illegally in March 2023 near Lukeville, Arizona, where he was apprehended by Border Patrol agents and placed into removal proceedings. But instead of detaining him, ICE ERO Florence released him, also giving him a “notice to appear” before a federal immigration judge.
Seven months later, Providence Police Department officers arrested him in October 2023 and charged him with domestic kidnapping and fraudulent use of credit cards. Authorities released him the next day.
Five months later, Rhode Island State Police arrested him in March 2024 for violation of a no contact order.
ICE ERO Boston agents then lodged an immigration detainer against him with the Adult Correctional Institute in Cranston. “However, the Rhode Island Sheriff’s Office refused to honor the detainer,” ICE said, and released him from custody in May.
Not soon after, ICE ERO Boston deportation officers arrested him and he remains in ICE custody pending his removal proceedings.