NEWARK, N.J. — A Guatemalan national wanted for attempted aggravated homicide in his home country has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New Jersey, officials announced Thursday.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark arrested 29-year-old Adelso Garcia Martinez on May 13 for immigration violations. Garcia, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2021, is the subject of an active arrest warrant in Guatemala for two counts of attempted aggravated homicide.
Newark’s mayor, Ras Baraka, has declared the city a sanctuary city.
Garcia was initially encountered in April during a records check conducted by HSI Newark, which then confirmed his outstanding warrant through coordination with HSI Guatemala City. The arrest warrant was originally issued on February 18, 2021.
Authorities said Garcia unlawfully entered the U.S. near Rio Grande, Texas, on May 19, 2021, and was released the same day by U.S. Border Patrol. ICE officials later identified him as a sponsor of an unaccompanied alien child released from federal custody.
“It is deplorable to imagine that a wanted fugitive would find illegal shelter in the United States with a child in tow and later go on to sponsor another alien,” said ICE HSI Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel.
Pending removal proceedings
Following his arrest, Garcia was issued a notice to appear before an immigration judge and is now detained at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark. He remains in federal custody pending removal proceedings.
ICE officials said the arrest is part of a broader investigation to prevent fugitives from exploiting U.S. immigration processes and to protect vulnerable unaccompanied minors.
Garcia’s immigration and criminal history are being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
