News Releases

ICE deports illegal alien wanted in Mexico for murder

HIDALGO, Texas - A criminal alien wanted for murder in Mexico was turned over to Mexican authorities Friday by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Juan Rico-Ostinguin, 32, is wanted for allegedly stabbing a Mexican citizen to death in February. He was turned over to Mexican Attorney General's Office authorities by ICE agents at about noon (CST) at the Hidalgo port of entry.

According to Mexican authorities, the Honorable Judge of the Sixth District of Ciudad Miguel Aleman, Tamaulipas, Mexico, issued an arrest warrant for Rico-Ostinguin Feb. 12. He is listed as a most-wanted person on the Mexican State of Tamaulipas Attorney General's Web site.

Rico-Ostinguin was arrested Wednesday in Rio Grande City, Texas, after the Starr County's Sheriff's Department received information about an individual hiding in a residence. Sheriff's deputies responded and discovered Rico-Ostinguin hiding between two beds. During questioning, Rico-Ostinguin said that he was a citizen of Mexico who had illegally entered the United States. Deputies called ICE agents, who contacted the Mexican Attorney General's office and verified the outstanding arrest warrant.

"Our goal is not only to see justice served, but to enhance public safety and security on both sides of the border" said Jerry Robinette, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in San Antonio. "ICE uses its unique immigration enforcement authorities to protect our communities from those who pose a threat, including suspects who flee their home countries in an attempt to escape justice."

Nationwide, ICE has arrested more than 190 foreign fugitives from countries around the world since fiscal year 2007. ICE returned more than 369,000 illegal aliens to their countries of origin during fiscal year 2008, a nearly 27 percent increase over the previous year.