NEWARK, NJ – Within the past week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) removed two public safety threats to their respective countries of origin.

ERO officers removed Frank Adonay Gonzalez Valdez, an El Salvadoran national with MS-13 affiliations, June 15 and transferred him to the custody of El Salvadoran law enforcement authorities upon his arrival in his home country. Gonzalez was initially encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Sept. 13 when he tried to enter the U.S. without a valid nonimmigrant visa. He was entered into removal proceedings, and on May 15, an immigration judge issued him a removal order. Days later, ICE was notified that Gonzalez was the subject of an active arrest warrant in El Salvador for affiliation with terrorist organizations (MS-13).

ERO officers removed Andrew Wall, an Irish national and member of the organized crime syndicate “Cock-Wall Gang,” June 19 and transferred him to the custody of local authorities at Ireland’s Dublin Airport. Wall served time for manslaughter in his home country and was wanted there for possession of articles that can be used in theft. He entered the U.S. through the Visa Waiver Program, but failed to depart by Feb. 1. 2017, in accordance with the terms of his admission. On Dec. 20, 2017, he was arrested for shoplifting and employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime in South Plainfield, New Jersey. In January 2018, ERO arrested him on immigration violations and confirmed he had outstanding warrants in Ireland.

“Both of these individuals were a threat to public safety,” said John Tsoukaris, field office director of ERO Newark. “The courageous and targeted efforts of our officers have ensured that there are now two less dangerous criminals in our community.”

ICE removed or returned 226,119 aliens in fiscal year 2017. The proportion of FY17 removals resulting from ICE arrests increased by nearly ten percent over the previous fiscal year, and the number of ICE interior removals in FY17 increased by over 15,000 from FY16.

ICE is focused on removing public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, as well as individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judge.