A 23-year-old Venezuelan national wanted for homicide in his home country has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in East Orange, New Jersey, officials announced.
Juan Luis Ramos Marin was taken into custody on April 29 by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Newark. According to ICE, Ramos entered the U.S. unlawfully at an undetermined time and location without inspection or authorization by immigration authorities.
Ramos has prior U.S. convictions for disorderly conduct and petit larceny and faces new charges related to theft and possession of stolen property. ICE officials said the stolen items involved are valued between $100 and $25,000.
The agency said it received a referral from U.S. Border Patrol on April 9 identifying Ramos as a fugitive wanted for homicide in Venezuela. Homeland Security Investigations Newark and U.S. Customs and Border Protection assisted in his arrest.
Detained without bond, Ramos faces removal proceedings
“This illegal alien wanted for a violent crime committed overseas was placed into removal proceedings for violating immigration law by illegally entering the United States,” said ICE Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris.
Ramos was issued a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge and is being held in ICE custody without bond. Federal authorities have not provided additional information on the homicide case in Venezuela or whether extradition proceedings are under consideration.
East Orange, where Ramos was arrested, identifies itself as a sanctuary city for migrants. The arrest has drawn attention due to the suspect’s alleged violent criminal background and his immigration status.
Ramos’s immigration case will proceed in federal court while his pending criminal charges in the U.S. remain active.
