Illegal Immigrant Homicide Convict Removed From Massachusetts State-Funded Migrant Housing In Bourne

Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston, a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arrested an illegal immigrant in Bourne who was convicted of homicide in Venezuela, federal officials said.

The 38-year-old Venezuelan national had been living in state-provided migrant housing on Joint Base Cape Cod in Bourne. The arrest took place on Friday October 27, according to a press release from Enforcement and Removal Operations.

The man, whom federal officials did not name, failed to disclose his prior homicide conviction to U.S. Border Patrol officials when he was apprehended for unlawfully entering the United States in Eagle Pass, Texas, on July 31, according to federal officials. He was subsequently processed and given a notice to appear at U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement offices within 60 days, but he failed to comply with this requirement, federal officials said.

“The people of Massachusetts have a right to be made aware of potential risks to their public safety, especially when an unlawfully present fugitive living in housing provided by the Commonwealth, is present in their community,” said  Todd Lyons, director of the Boston office of Enforcement and Removal Operations, in the written statement issued Wednesday, November 1. “ERO Boston remains committed to identifying, apprehending, and seeking the removal of unlawfully present fugitives who pose a real threat to public safety. We will continue to safeguard our communities and fulfill our mission in Massachusetts and throughout New England. The hospitality of the people of the Commonwealth must never be taken advantage of by those who violate our immigration system and threaten the security of our residents.”

Upon encountering the fugitive at his state-provided housing, the Venezuelan citizen confessed to having been convicted of homicide and acknowledged that he is wanted in Venezuela for violating his sentencing conditions since 2006, federal officials said.

The Venezuelan murder convict will remain federal custody until he is deported, federal officials said.

In the fiscal year 2022, according to federal officials, Enforcement and Removal Operations arrested 46,396 non-citizens with criminal histories. This group had 198,498 associated charges and convictions, including 21,531 assault offenses, 8,164 sex and sexual assault offenses, 5,554 weapons offenses, 1,501 homicide-related offenses, and 1,114 kidnapping offenses.

Members of the public are encouraged to report crime and suspicious activity to Enforcement Operations and Removal by calling 866-347-2423 or using the online tip form.