Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston apprehended a 39-year-old Dominican national, Yohan Perez-Chala, in Cranston, Rhode Island, on July 15th. Perez-Chala is charged with fentanyl trafficking and is unlawfully present in the United States.
Perez-Chala had been arrested by Providence Police on May 30th for fentanyl trafficking. ERO Boston lodged an immigration detainer against him on June 4th, but the Rhode Island Department of Corrections released Perez-Chala on July 15th without honoring the detainer.
ERO Boston’s Providence field office officers subsequently arrested Perez-Chala on the same day.
“Yohan Perez-Chala unlawfully entered this country and allegedly trafficked poison throughout our Rhode Island neighborhoods,” said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd M. Lyons. “We will continue to prioritize public safety by apprehending and removing egregious noncitizen offenders from New England. ERO Boston cannot allow noncitizen criminals to operate unabated in our communities.”
Immigration detainers are crucial tools for public safety, enabling ICE to focus enforcement efforts on noncitizens who have been arrested for criminal activities. These detainers request that state or local law enforcement agencies hold individuals for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release, allowing ICE to take custody for deportation proceedings.
Detainers facilitate secure and controlled arrests, reducing the risk of individuals reoffending or evading authorities. They also streamline the process, allowing ICE to take custody directly from state or local facilities, conserving resources.
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ERO carries out removals of individuals who lack legal authorization to remain in the U.S., often following orders from immigration judges within the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. These judges make decisions based on individual cases, determining if someone is subject to removal or eligible for relief.
The public is encouraged to report information about noncitizen offenders by contacting the ICE Tip Line or submitting an online tip form.
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