Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs | https://www.dhs.gov/
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed an arrest detainer on Jose Javier Coronado-Meza, a 25-year-old Venezuelan national accused of the murder of Gregori Arias in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood on June 22. Coronado-Meza faces charges including murder, concealing a homicidal death, aggravated unlawful restraint, kidnapping, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Authorities allege that Coronado-Meza shot Arias in the head and then attempted to hide the crime by transporting the body to a construction site with plans to bury it in concrete. Reports indicate that after the killing, Coronado-Meza allegedly boasted about his involvement.
Despite having a final order of removal from an immigration judge, Coronado-Meza was released into the United States. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “This sick, depraved criminal alien—Jose Javier Coronado-Meza—should have never been in our country in the first place, but the Biden administration chose to allow him to roam free on American streets. Despite having a final order of removal from an immigration judge, the Biden administration released this criminal into our country. We will not allow sanctuary politicians to put the lives of Americans at risk.”
Coronado-Meza first entered the U.S. illegally near Laredo, Texas on September 4, 2023. He was processed for expedited removal and deported but re-entered illegally one month later—a felony offense. On October 18, 2023, he was transferred to ICE custody and held at Stewart Detention Center for 166 days. An immigration judge issued a final order of removal on December 4, 2023; however, he was released into U.S. communities on April 1, 2024.
Illinois is designated as a sanctuary state and does not cooperate with ICE detainers. Currently, Coronado-Meza remains in Cook County Jail awaiting trial.
