U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced on May 7 that it removed Zakaria Songotoua, a convicted coup leader from Burkina Faso, from the United States to his home country on April 22 after a final order of removal by an immigration judge.
The removal highlights efforts by federal authorities to address human rights violations and ensure individuals involved in violent acts abroad are not permitted to remain in the United States.
During immigration proceedings, the court determined that Songotoua, age 40, was not eligible for immigration benefits due to his participation in the attempted September 16, 2015 coup d’etat in Burkina Faso while serving as a member of the Presidential Security Regiment. According to ICE, during this event, members of the regiment held hostage both the interim president and prime minister and fired on protestors. The violence resulted in approximately eleven deaths and more than one hundred injuries. Songotoua fled Burkina Faso before trial but was later convicted in absentia of murder, assault and battery, attacking state security, and sentenced to thirty years in prison.
“Songotoua’s role in the violent 2015 effort to overthrow Burkina Faso’s government, which included holding a national leader hostage and killing and injuring protestors, reflects a grave disregard for human life and the rule of law," said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City Field Office Director Kenneth Genalo. "Individuals who engage in such bloodshed anywhere in the world have no place in the United States. ERO New York, with essential support from Homeland Security Investigations New York and the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, will continue to identify and remove human rights violators who attempt to seek refuge in our communities.”
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York’s Document & Benefit Fraud Task Force with support from the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center. Established in 2008, this center aims to identify those suspected or known for involvement with persecution or serious crimes such as war crimes or genocide within U.S. borders. Currently HSI has over one hundred ninety active investigations into suspected human rights violators involving nearly two thousand cases across ninety-five countries since its founding.
Individuals with information about potential former human rights violators residing within U.S. borders are encouraged by ICE officials to contact law enforcement through their tip line or online forms.
