U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has removed Romulus Mihai, a 33-year-old Belgian national convicted of sexual exploitation of a child in Belgium, and returned him to Belgian authorities on July 31.
Mihai entered the United States under the visa waiver program in April 2013 after being convicted in his home country. He attempted to gain U.S. citizenship without disclosing his criminal record. ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., arrested Mihai in April 2025 following an investigation that began when U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate referred his case for further review after discovering his conviction.
Christopher Heck, acting Special Agent in Charge at HSI Washington, D.C., stated, “The arrest of Romulus Mihai is a testament to the outstanding collaboration between HSI and USCIS. Together, we were able to identify, arrest and remove a child sex predator who had no legal right to remain in the U.S. Not only did Mihai victimize a child in his native country; he attempted to exploit the integrity of our immigration system to avoid accountability for his crime. HSI Washington, D.C. remains committed to safeguarding the lawful immigration process and holding accountable those who seek to exploit it. Furthermore, we will continue to prosecute, arrest and remove any criminal alien offender who endangers our communities.”
A Department of Justice immigration judge ordered Mihai’s removal on June 26 after he was placed into immigration proceedings based on evidence gathered during the investigation.
Members of the public with information about criminal activity can contact ICE through its tip line or online form.
More details about HSI Washington, D.C.’s work are available on X at @HSI_DC.
