News and reports from the Department of Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Kansas City’s acting Special Agent in Charge Taekuk Cho presented his office’s 2023 Agency Partnership Award to Sheriff Will Akin, who accepted on behalf of the Clay County Missouri Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 10.

Fugitive Operations Team officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston arrested a Brazilian national wanted in his homeland for aggravated homicide on Feb. 21 in Everett.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego special agents participated in Operation Better Pathways, a local operation that resulted in multiple arrests related to human trafficking. The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force led the operation.

An investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore resulted in a Maryland man’s 8-year federal prison sentence for human trafficking and drug charges. Adolph Scott, 37, of Baltimore, received the lengthy prison sentence Feb. 15 for transporting an individual to engage in prostitution and for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

A Texas man was arrested Feb. 16 in El Paso on criminal charges related to his alleged bribery of a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), alongside representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted a repatriation ceremony hosted by the Yemeni Ambassador returning 77 pieces of stolen cultural property seized by U.S. law enforcement officials to the Republic of Yemen Government.

Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston, with assistance from ERO El Salvador and the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force, removed Noe David Alvarez Escamilla, a twice-previously deported gang member from the United States on Feb. 17. Alvarez is wanted in El Salvador for aggravated homicide and illegal association.

A Hudson County, New Jersey, man today admitted that he conspired to possess fentanyl with the intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel announced.

Deportation officers from Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Washington, D.C. arrested a 28-year-old Salvadoran national wanted in his homeland for robbery on Jan. 25.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the validity period of employment authorization for F-1 nonimmigrant students experiencing severe economic hardship due to emergent circumstances (also known as special student relief (SSR)) who are work authorized under the SSR provisions of 8 CFR.

News Release: Adjuntas, Puerto Rico - Domingo Reyes Piazza is an example of someone who learned from experience the benefits of building back resilient. After Hurricane Maria damaged his sheet metal rooftop, he decided to make a few improvements. Years later, when Hurricane Fiona battered parts of Puerto Rico’s south and central mountain region, his repairs stood up to the test.

News Release: CHICAGO - There will be a Flood Map Information Open House for communities in Clay County, Illinois, on March 8, 2023, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. CT. The open house will give residents a chance to review preliminary versions of the recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

News Release: Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of long-term disability for adults. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, serious health impairments, or even death. While age, race and genetics factor into your risk, you can follow these healthy lifestyle tips to lower your chance of having a stroke.

The US Homeland Security Department published a two page notice on Feb. 22, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

News Release: ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands - FEMA is looking for students in grades 8 to 11 in the U.S. Virgin Islands who are passionate about disaster preparedness and making a positive impact for their community’s resilience to join the Youth Preparedness Council.