ERO New York City arrests Uzbek national wanted in Uzbekistan for fraud

NEW YORK - Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City arrested an Uzbek fugitive July 22 who faces prosecution charges in Uzbekistan on fraud charges.

"This is another case where international law enforcement cooperation resulted in the arrest of a wanted fugitive," said ERO New York City Field Officer Kenneth Genalo. "An individual who sought refuge in this country through illegal entry will now be brought to justice."

U.S. Border Patrol arrested the Uzbek national after he unlawfully entered the United States near San Luis, Arizona, Feb. 14, 2023, and served him with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge. On the same date, officials released him from custody on an order of recognizance.

Uzbek authorities are seeking his arrest for the offense of fraud. The maximum penalty possible for this offense is eight years of imprisonment.

ERO New York City arrested the Uzbek national July 22 without incident in New York City. He is in ICE custody.

Noncitizens placed into removal proceedings receive their legal due process from federal immigration judges in the immigration courts, which are administered by the Executive Office for Immigration Review. The Executive Office for Immigration Review is an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice and is separate from the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case. ICE officers carry out the removal decisions made by the federal immigration judges.

As one of ICE's three operational directorates, ERO is the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO's mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency's detained and non-detained populations, and repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO's workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings, and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.

Members of the public can report crime and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form.

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