ERO Seattle removes Nicaraguan national wanted for murder

SEATTLE — Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Seattle field office removed Pedro Jose Torres-Moran, 44, a citizen of Nicaragua who is wanted by authorities in his home country on charges related to murder, Nov 16.

U.S. Border Patrol encountered Torres-Moran July 13, 2022, near Del Rio, Texas. He was arrested July 26 in San Jose, California, after authorities discovered he was wanted in Nicaragua. ERO Seattle took custody of Torres-Moran the same day. An immigration judge ordered his removal to Nicaragua Aug. 14.

“The removal of this individual is a crucial part of our obligation as law enforcement officers,” said ERO Seattle Field Office Director Drew H. Bostock. “As we are responsible for the safety of our nation, we seek to hold those accused of crimes in their home country accountable to their victims.”

In fiscal year 2022, ERO arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories. This group had 198,498 associated charges and convictions, including 21,531 assault offenses; 8,164 sex and sexual assault offenses; 5,554 weapons offenses; 1,501 homicide-related offenses; and 1,114 kidnapping offenses.

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 crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X, formerly known as Twitter, @EROSeattle.

The Seattle Area of Responsibility covers Washington, Oregon and Alaska.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)