U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has returned Luis Gerardo Pelaez Llivichuzca, an Ecuadorian citizen wanted for murder, to Ecuador. This action took place on March 25. Brian McShane, acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Philadelphia, emphasized the agency's commitment to public safety and maintaining immigration system integrity. "The removal of Luis Gerardo Pelaez Llivichuzca reflects our stanch commitment to safeguarding public safety and enforcing the integrity of our immigration system,” McShane stated.
Pelaez was initially arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol on April 20, 2010, near Kots Kug, Arizona, for entering the country without proper inspection. Following his arrest, the Border Patrol issued a notice for expedited removal, and after processing, ICE deported him to Ecuador on June 4, 2010. However, Pelaez later re-entered the U.S. at an unidentified time and location, again bypassing immigration inspection.
In Ecuador, he has been wanted for murder, with an arrest warrant issued on May 31, 2018. ICE managed to apprehend Pelaez in New York on February 11 during a targeted enforcement operation. Subsequently, he was detained at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Pennsylvania while awaiting deportation procedures.
ICE invites the public to report any crimes or suspicious activities through their Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE or via the online tip form. Updates on ICE Philadelphia's activities aimed at enhancing public safety in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia are available on their X account @EROPhiladelphia.
