Illegal Alien Wanted for Rape is Arrested by ICE

An illegal alien from Mexico wanted by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office on rape charges was arrested late Wednesday, October 10, 2012, after officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) tracked him down at a residence in southwest Detroit where he was holed up.

Miguel Angel Davila-Ruiz, 33, was wanted on a four-count warrant charging him with first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. The crime is alleged to have occurred in Pontiac, Mich. When the warrant was issued in July, ERO and sheriff's deputies initiated efforts to find Davila-Ruiz. Crime Stoppers last month offered a $2,000 reward for information leading to his arrest, sparking regional media interest in the case.

Working from information provided by various sources, ERO Fugitive Operations officers were able to locate Davila-Ruiz Oct. 10 at a residence in the 1200 block of Central St. in southwest Detroit. When ERO officers arrived and attempted to make entry, Davila-Ruiz and a male associate fled from the house on foot exiting at the rear before officers gave chase. Both Davila-Ruiz and the associate were taken into custody in the backyard of the home. No one was injured during their apprehension.

Davila-Ruiz was turned over to the sheriff's office last night. An ICE detainer has been filed against him. After the full measure of criminal charges is resolved, to include any possible conviction and sentence, Davila-Ruiz will be returned to ICE custody and processed for deportation. His associate was arrested on administrative immigration violations and will remain in ICE custody pending his removal from the U.S.

"The arrest of this alleged violent criminal alien is at the absolute core of what we do," said Rebecca Adducci, field office director for ERO Detroit. "ICE is using its unique immigration enforcement authorities to safeguard our communities from criminal aliens and others who pose a public safety threat, including suspects attempting to evade law enforcement. I'm very fortunate to lead a team of officers who day in and day out exhibit unmatched skill and professionalism in the pursuit of criminal aliens."

"It is great when our work with our law enforcement partners result in removing dangerous criminals from our streets," said Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard. "I thank ICE for their work and look forward to holding this perpetrator responsible for all his crimes."

ERO is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that targets serious criminal aliens who present the greatest risk to the security of our communities, such as those charged with or convicted of homicide, rape, robbery, kidnapping, major drug offenses and threats to national security. ERO also prioritizes the arrest and removal of those who game the immigration system including immigration fugitives or those criminal aliens who have been previously deported and illegally re-entered the country.

Connecticut Resident and Former Peace Corps Volunteer Sentenced for Abusing Minors in South Africa

Officials from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced the sentencing of a U.S. citizen for crimes he committed while he was a volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps. He was sentenced Oct. 10, 2012, in a U.S. court in the state of Connecticut.

Jesse Osmun, 33, was sentenced Wednesday, October 10, 2012 in Hartford, Conn., to 180 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for sexually abusing four minor girls, all under the age of 6, while he was a volunteer in South Africa.

"Thanks to the close collaboration of HSI's attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, a U.S. citizen has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for crimes he committed here in South Africa," said Peter Vincent, director of HSI's Office of International Affairs. "As this sentence clearly demonstrates, there will be no refuge for U.S. citizens who believe that they may victimize children outside the United States. No place is too distant or too remote to escape the attention of law enforcement. Thanks to an extensive investigation we worked jointly with our South African counterparts, Jesse Osmun will now spend a considerable amount of time in a U.S. jail. Law enforcement will hunt down child predators to the ends of the earth to protect innocent children from being violated."

"This case has shown that both the United States and South Africa have no tolerance when it comes to the abuse of innocent children," said U.S. Embassy Pretoria Chargé d'Affairs Virginia E. Palmer. "Through close collaboration between U.S. and South African law enforcement officials we have been able to close this sad case and bring justice to this criminal. Our heart goes out to the young victims involved."

"I appreciate the well-coordinated efforts of the Department of Justice, Peace Corps Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations and the South African Police Service, to ensure that justice was served in this case," said Carrie Hessler-Radelet, acting director of the Peace Corps. "The Peace Corps has no tolerance for abuse of any kind, and our deepest sympathies are with all the victims involved."

According to court documents, Osmun was sworn in as a Peace Corps volunteer in early 2010 and began his service at a non-governmental organization (NGO) in South Africa that provides education, food and other services to children, many of whom are orphans. In May 2011, Osmun resigned from the Peace Corps after being confronted by the program director of the NGO with allegations of sexual abuse. He returned to the United States June 2, 2011. Shortly thereafter, HSI special agents, working with members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), began investigating the allegations of abuse.

The investigation revealed that, while volunteering at the NGO, Osmun enticed four young girls, all of whom were under the age of six, to engage in illicit sexual acts with him. Osmun persuaded the children to engage in this conduct by playing games with them and providing them with candy. Osmun sexually abused one of the victims approximately two times a week over the course of approximately five months.

On Aug. 4, 2011, Osmun was arrested at his home in Milford, Conn. On June 27, 2012, he pleaded guilty to one count of traveling from the United States to South Africa to engage in illicit sexual conduct with children.

Osmun has been detained since his arrest.

HSI targets, investigates and prosecutes sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders and child sex traffickers. Since the creation of HSI and the passage of the PROTECT Act – a U.S. law – HSI has expanded the resources devoted to these types of investigations.

"PROTECT" is an acronym which stands for "Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to End the Exploitation of Children Today." Part of this U.S. law authorizes fines and imprisonment for U.S. citizens or residents who engage in illicit sexual conduct abroad.

In the nine years since the federal laws protecting children outside the United States from American sexual predators were significantly strengthened, HSI has arrested 93 suspects on child sex tourism charges.

Numerous agencies in the United States and South Africa participated in this extensive investigation. United States agencies included: HSI; Peace Corps, Office of Inspector General; and the U.S. Department of State's regional security officer in Durban, South Africa.

In South Africa, the investigation was conducted and coordinated by the NPA and SAPS DPCI.

Mexican National Wanted for Murder is Captured in Virginia

A Mexican murder suspect captured in Charlottesville, Va., was removed from the United States late Friday, October 5, 2012, and turned over to Mexican law enforcement officials by officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Alfredo Santana Miranda, 40, is wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant in Mexico for the murder of Alcindo Roman Roman on Feb. 12, 2006.

Seven days after the alleged murder, Miranda had attempted to elude inspection to enter the United States from Mexico through the San Ysidro Port of Entry by concealment under the back seat of a vehicle. He was removed by U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers the same day. He then reentered the United States illegally on an unknown date.

ICE officers in Virginia received a tip about Miranda's whereabouts and confirmation from the Mexican Attorney General's Office (Procuraduría General de la República) of the active murder warrant.

Miranda was arrested Sept. 7 on a reinstatement of his prior removal order at a hotel in Charlottesville by ICE's fugitive operations teams based in Richmond and Fairfax, Va., for illegally reentering the country after deportation, a felony offense.

"Criminals who seek to escape responsibility for their actions by fleeing to the United States will find no sanctuary in our communities," said M. Yvonne Evans, field office director for ERO Washington. "As this case makes clear, U.S. law enforcement agencies are working closely together to promote public safety and hold criminals accountable - no matter where they commit their crimes."

Miranda was flown via an ICE charter flight to Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas, and then escorted by ERO San Antonio's special response team to the Gateway International Bridge Port of Entry in Brownsville, Texas, where he was turned over to the custody of Mexican law enforcement officials. Prior to his removal, Miranda was being held in ICE custody at the Hampton Roads Regional Jail in Portsmouth, Va.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 500 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 Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.

Terrorism Suspects Extradited from the United Kingdom to Face Charges in U.S.

Two British nationals were extradited from the United Kingdom late Friday, October 5, 2012, and now face terrorism-related charges in the United States. If convicted of the charges, both face up to life in prison. This investigation is being led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Babar Ahmad, 38, and Syed Talha Ahsan, 33, were extradited Oct. 5, arriving in the United States early in the morning Oct. 6. They appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Janet C. Hall the same day. Both pleaded not guilty, but were ordered detained while they await trial.

Ahmad and Ahsan are charged with terrorism-related offenses stemming from their involvement in, and operation of "Azzam Publications," an entity in London that allegedly provided material support to the Chechen Muhjahideen, the Taliban and associated terrorist groups.

On Oct. 6, 2004, a federal grand jury sitting in Bridgeport, Conn., returned an indictment charging Ahmad with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, providing material support to terrorists, conspiring to kill persons in a foreign country and money laundering.

On June 28, 2006, a Bridgeport grand jury returned an indictment charging Ahsan with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, providing material support to terrorists and conspiring to kill persons in a foreign country. Ahmad and Ahsan have been detained since their arrests by British law enforcement authorities Aug. 5, 2004, and July 19, 2006, respectively.

The indictments allege that Ahmad and Ahsan were members of a group that supported the Chechen Muhjahideen, the Taliban and associated terrorist groups through various means, including the operation of a series of websites under the name of "Azzam Publications," which promoted violent jihad and featured jihadi training manuals, interviews with Al-Qaeda and Chechen leaders and associates, and stories and martyrdom videos of fallen jihadists.

The indictments allege that the defendants assisted the Taliban and the Chechen Mujahideen by providing funds, military items, communications equipment, lodging, training, safe houses, expert advice and assistance, personnel, transportation, false documentation and identification, and other supplies, knowing and intending that such conduct would support the military activities of these and associated groups.

Among other things, the indictments allege that Ahmad made efforts to secure GPS devices, Kevlar helmets, night vision goggles, ballistic vests and camouflage uniforms. In addition, Ahmad and Ahsan are alleged to have recruited and arranged for individuals to travel to Afghanistan to train for violent jihad.

The indictments further allege that a search of Ahmad's residence in the United Kingdom in December 2003 revealed Ahmad in possession of an electronic document setting forth what were previously classified plans regarding the makeup, advance movements and mission of a U.S. Naval battle group as it was to transit from California to its deployment in the Middle East. The document discussed the battle group's perceived vulnerability to terrorist attack. Ahsan is alleged to have possessed, accessed and modified the electronic battle group document in April 2001.

"Homeland Security Investigations continues to use every available resource to protect the American public from those who would compromise our national security through terrorism," said ICE Director John Morton. "This extradition demonstrates law enforcement's resolve to bring to justice anyone who supports those who would target American interests at home or abroad. As a result of HSI's extraordinary cooperation with our British partners, Ahmad and Ahsan will now face justice for their alleged crimes in a U.S. courtroom."

"This has been a lengthy process, but the government's commitment to presenting this case to a jury during a fair and open trial has never wavered," said U.S. Attorney David B. Fein, District of Connecticut. "The allegations contained in the indictments, which include promotion of terrorism and conspiracy to murder persons living abroad, are as serious today as when they were initially charged. I commend Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and the many other law enforcement agencies here and in the U.K. for investigating this matter. I also want to acknowledge the Department of Homeland Security, FBI and Department of Justice attachés at the U.S. Embassy in London and the attorneys and staff at the Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs who have seamlessly coordinated with us during this extradition process."

"Today, more than at any other time in U.S. history, terrorism investigations involve the identification, disruption and dismantling of material and financial support systems," said Kimberly K. Mertz, special agent in charge of the FBI New Haven Division. "Without those support systems, terrorists and terrorist groups simply cannot survive. This investigation underscores Homeland Security Investigations' and the FBI's enduring commitment to combating terrorism by uprooting these global and often complex support networks."

This case is being investigated by a task force in Connecticut led by HSI. Other law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation include: FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force; Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Criminal Investigation Division; IRS, Criminal Investigation Electronic Crimes Program; Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

U.S. Attorney Fein praised the substantial efforts of law enforcement authorities from the Metropolitan Police Service's Anti-Terrorist Branch and the Extradition and International Assistance Unit, both within New Scotland Yard, whose efforts and assistance have been essential in the investigation in this case. U.S. Attorney Fein also thanked the U.S. Marshals Service for its assistance in the extradition of the defendants.

The case is being prosecuted by a team of federal prosecutors including Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Reynolds, District of Connecticut; and Attorneys Sharon Lever and Alexis Collins from the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington.

USCIS to Extend Certain Programs Until Sept. 30, 2015

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) advises the public that Public Law 112-176, signed by the President on Sept. 28, 2012, extends the following USCIS programs until Sept. 30, 2015:

·         E-Verify

·         Immigrant Investor (EB-5) Pilot Program

·         Special immigrant visa category for non-minister special immigrant religious workers

·         The date by which J-1 nonimmigrant exchange visitors must obtain that status in order to qualify for the Conrad 30 program.

Program Details

E-Verify: E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by USCIS in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA), allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.  More than 402,000 participating employers at nearly 1.2 million worksites nationwide currently use the program.  Since Oct. 1, 2011, more than 20 million employment verification queries have been run through the system and approximately 98.3 percent of all queries are now automatically confirmed without any need for employee action.

Immigrant Investor (EB-5) Pilot Program:  Under the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program, USCIS will continue to receive, process, and adjudicate all Regional Center Proposals, Forms I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur, and Forms I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, affiliated with Regional Centers relying on “indirect” job creation analysis. Currently, there are more than 70 regional centers throughout the United States.

Religious Worker Visa:  The special immigrant visa category for non-minister religious workers covers individuals within a religious vocation or occupation and also applies to accompanying or “following-to-join” spouses and children of these religious workers. USCIS will continue to receive and process Forms 1-360,  Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, Forms I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status,  and Forms I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition, that relate to religious workers and their families covered by Public Law 112-176.

Conrad 30:  USCIS will continue to adjudicate immigration benefits covered by the Conrad 30 program.  The Conrad 30 program allows each state health department to submit a request directly to the Department of State to initiate the waiver process for a foreign medical graduate who obtained J-1 status to change to another status without the required two-year foreign residence.  The law previously required the foreign medical graduate to have acquired J-1 status before Sept. 30, 2012; the law now extends the program to cover J-1 admissions before Sept. 30, 2015.

Online I-9 Central Now Available in Spanish

On October 4, 2012, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) launched a Spanish-language version of I-9 Central, an online resource center designed to provide information and assistance related to the most frequently accessed form on USCIS.gov: Form I-9, Employee Eligibility Verification. This free, easy-to-use website provides employers and employees simple one-click access to resources, tips and guidance to properly complete Form I-9 and better understand the Form I-9 process.

"The release of the Spanish I-9 Central reflects our continued commitment to provide vital, accessible information to our multilingual customers,” said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. “Since its launch last year, I-9 Central has provided the public with a much needed resource to help them navigate the employment eligibility verification process.”

The launch of the Spanish I-9 Central is the most recent in a series of resource guides related to USCIS employment-related forms and processes. These resources include E-Verify Self Check, a service that allows workers and job seekers in the United States to check their own employment eligibility status online, and an updated “Handbook for Employers: Instructions for Completing Form I-9.". Both are also offered in Spanish.

I-9 Central includes sections about employer and employee rights and responsibilities, step-by-step instructions for completing the form, and information on acceptable documents for establishing identity and employment authorization. I-9 Central also includes a discussion of common mistakes to avoid when completing the form, guidance on how to correct errors, and answers to employers’ recent questions about the Form I-9 process.

By law, U.S. employers must verify the identity and employment authorization for every worker hired after Nov. 6, 1986, regardless of the employee’s immigration status. To comply with the law, employers must complete and retain Form I-9.

I-9 Central en Espanol

ERO Deports El Salvador National Wanted for Murder and Extortion

An El Salvador man, wanted in his country for murder, organized crime and extortion, was deported and turned over to officials of El Salvador Friday, Sept. 28 by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Walter Fernando Alfaro-Pineda, 33, was encountered by officers assigned to the Criminal Alien Program (CAP) at the Lee County Jail in Texas, after an Interpol fugitive warrant was revealed following his arrest June 18. The warrant indicated that Alfaro-Pineda was wanted by El Salvadoran officials for murder, organized crime and extortion. Alfaro-Pineda was released into ERO custody June 20, and subsequently ordered removed from the U.S. by an immigration judge Sept. 5.

"This removal is the positive result of ICE's thorough screening of jails and prisons throughout the nation," said David W. Jennings, field office director for ERO Houston. "This case is representative of the hard work and service by ERO and our law enforcement partners to ensure public safety."

ERO is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that targets serious criminal aliens who present the greatest risk to the security of our communities, such as those charged with or convicted of homicide, rape, robbery, kidnapping, major drug offenses and threats to national security. ERO also prioritizes the arrest and removal of those who game the immigration system including immigration fugitives or those criminal aliens who have been previously deported and illegally reentered the country.

This international fugitive was removed on a charter flight via the ICE ERO Air Operations (IAO) Unit. Since 2006, the IAO Unit, headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., 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.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 500 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 Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.

Through CAP, ERO seeks to identify potentially deportable aliens incarcerated in jails and prisons throughout the United States. This is accomplished through interviews and reviews of inmates's biographical information. Although ERO initiates removal proceedings against criminal aliens through CAP, these individuals may remain in prison or jail to complete criminal hearings or sentences. Under CAP, ERO uses a risk-based approach to make determinations about the detention and arrest of criminal aliens, with priority given to cases involving individuals deemed to be a security or public safety threat.