ICE Newark arrests Guatemalan unaccompanied alien child sponsor wanted overseas for attempted aggravated homicide

NEWARK, N.J. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a Guatemalan fugitive wanted for two counts of attempted aggravated homicide in his home country.

ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark administratively arrested Adelso Garcia Martinez, 29, a Guatemalan native, May 13 for violations of the Immigration and Naturalization Act.

“It is deplorable to imagine that a wanted fugitive would find illegal shelter in the United States with a child in tow and later go on to sponsor another alien,” said ICE HSI Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel. “Our investigation into this alien is part of our agency’s staunch effort to ensure unaccompanied alien children released from the care of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement are not subjected to crimes of trafficking and exploitation.”

Garcia unlawfully entered the United States in Rio Grande, Texas on May 19, 2021. He was released into the United States by U.S. Border Patrol the same day.

According to the investigation, in April 2025, HSI Newark encountered Garcia pursuant to records checks. During this encounter, HSI Newark with the assistance of HSI Guatemala City identified that Garcia-Martinez has an outstanding and active arrest warrant issued Feb. 18, 2021, in his home country for attempted aggravated homicide.

Garcia was issued a notice to appear after ICE arrested him May 13. He is currently detained at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in New Jersey, pending removal proceedings.

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