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During Thanksgiving week, ICE conducted multiple deportations, including two migrants with serious criminal backgrounds wanted for violent crimes in their home countries. The deportees, sought for murder in Honduras and attempted murder in Ecuador, were among hundreds expelled during the holiday period.

ICE’s Chicago Enforcement and Removal Operations Office deported Edwin Fernando Figueroa-Martinez, an undocumented immigrant wanted by Honduran authorities for murder. Following his August arrest in Lyons, Illinois, he was transferred to Honduras on Monday and handed over to local law enforcement.

In a separate case, Philadelphia ICE ERO officers deported Jonathan Javier Arequipa Montesdeoca to Ecuador on Tuesday. Ecuadorian authorities had been seeking him for attempted murder charges.

Arequipa’s journey began with his illegal entry near Lukeville, Arizona, in August 2023, where Border Patrol apprehended him. He was released within a day to pursue asylum and enrolled in a reporting program requiring check-ins every six months.

His situation changed in November when East Orange Police arrested him for simple assault in New Jersey. ERO Newark discovered him at Essex County Correctional Facility, filed a detention order, and took him into custody. Further investigation revealed his outstanding attempted murder charges in Ecuador.

This case exemplifies concerns about inadequate vetting of migrants released at the southwest border under current administration policies. A CBP source informed Breitbart Texas that Border Patrol agents often lack access to foreign criminal records.

ICE’s operations during the holiday week extended beyond these cases, with flights returning individuals and families to various countries including Central America, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, and Mexico.

Since the administration’s June asylum restriction proclamation, ICE has reportedly removed over 160,000 individuals to more than 160 countries through September’s end.