SALT LAKE CITY — A Honduran fugitive, wanted in his home country for raping a child, was deported Wednesday by local officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

According to Honduran officials, Marco Antonio Argueta-Rubio, 23, allegedly forced a 13-year-old girl into his vehicle, transported her to a motel and raped her. In June 2016, Argueta-Rubio was apprehended in the Texas Rio Grande Valley while attempting to illegally enter the United States. In July, Honduran officials issued a warrant of arrest for Argueta-Rubio after he failed to report for court proceedings.

“ICE prioritizes the removal of illegal aliens who pose a threat to public safety and national security,” Todd McWhorter, acting field office director of ERO Salt Lake City said. “America is not a safe haven for those who are fleeing prosecution in their home countries. Foreign fugitives will be returned to their country of citizenship to face justice.”

In October, a federal immigration judge ordered Argueta-Rubio removed to Honduras. On Nov. 23, Argueta-Rubio arrived in Honduras and was turned over to Honduran authorities.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 1,700 foreign fugitives from the United States who were sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with the ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Office of International Operations, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the United States. Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE tip line at 1 (866) 347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.

ERO coordinates the removal of criminals, foreign fugitives and others ordered deported. In 2015 alone, ERO removed 235,413 individuals from the United States. ICE is focused on smart and effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes its resources based on those who pose the biggest threat to national security, border security and public safety. ICE’s civil enforcement efforts are based on priorities set by the Secretary of Homeland Security in November 2014.

ICE Air History:

ICE routinely uses special air charters to transport aliens who have final orders of removal from an immigration judge. Staffed by ICE ERO Air Operations officers, these air charters enable the agency to repatriate large groups of deportees in an efficient, expeditious and humane manner.

Since 2006, ICE Air Operations 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.