ST. PAUL, Minn. — An illegal alien from El Salvador – who is wanted in his home country for aggravated homicide and involvement in a terrorist organization – was removed Tuesday by deportation officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO).

Moises De Jesus Ruiz-Mejia, 25, was flown to El Salvador Oct. 29 on a commercial flight. Upon arrival, ERO officers transferred Cruz-Cortez to officials from El Salvador’s Civilian National Police (PNC).

The ERO El Salvador office and its Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) task force provided valuable assistance to effect this removal.

On May 1, 2019, ICE officers arrested Ruiz-Mejia after Interpol San Salvador issued a Red Notice seeking Ruiz-Mejia for aggravated homicide and for his involvement in the 18th Street gang (Surenos 18).

Ruiz-Mejia illegally entered the United States Oct. 12, 2018, a day before the Salvadoran government issued the arrest warrant naming him as a suspect in the homicide.

“Ongoing and effective cooperation between U.S. and Salvadoran law enforcement authorities helps keep our communities safe from violent criminal aliens who try to find safe haven in the United States from their crimes,” said ICE Field Office Director Peter Berg, ERO St. Paul. “These cases emphasize the vital nature of ICE immigration enforcement operations.”

This removal was part of ERO’s SAFE Initiative. The SAFE Initiative is geared toward the identification of foreign fugitives who are wanted abroad and removable under U.S. immigration law. SAFE aligns with ERO’s public safety priorities and eliminates the need for formal extradition requests.