U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged an immigration detainer against Eric Dionida German-Pena, a 25-year-old native and citizen of the Dominican Republic, following his arrest in Lynn, Massachusetts, for his alleged involvement in the murder of a local sandwich shop owner during an apparent home-invasion robbery.
German-Pena was arrested by the Lynn Police Department on February 5 and charged with murder. ICE officials confirmed that he illegally entered the United States in September 2022. The agency has since taken steps to ensure that German-Pena will face immigration proceedings after his criminal case is resolved.
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“Eric Dionida German-Pena will have his day in court, but he stands accused of a very serious and disturbing crime against a member of our Massachusetts community,” said Patricia H. Hyde, acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Boston. “ICE Boston takes its public safety mission extremely seriously—which is why we’ve lodged an immigration detainer against him with Lynn police. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has charged him with murder, and with the cooperation of the Lynn District Court, we intend to take him into ICE custody after he has paid his debt to society. ICE Boston will continue our mission of arresting and removing egregious alien offenders from New England.”
The victim, a well-known sandwich shop owner, was reportedly killed during a violent home-invasion robbery, shocking the local community. German-Pena’s arrest has brought some measure of relief to residents, but the case has also highlighted concerns about public safety and immigration enforcement.
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An immigration detainer is a request from ICE to local law enforcement to notify the agency before releasing an individual from custody, allowing ICE to take them into federal custody for potential removal from the United States.
In this case, ICE plans to take German-Pena into custody after his criminal proceedings conclude.
Members of the public are encouraged to report crimes and suspicious activity by calling the ICE tip line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or by completing the online tip form available on the ICE website.
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