ERO Baltimore makes significant arrest of Salvadoran noncitizen

BALTIMORE - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations Baltimore arrested Salvadoran national Edwin Amaya-Rivera, 35, Jan. 10. Officers from ERO's Criminal Apprehension Program took Amaya into custody after the Roxbury Correctional Institution in Hagerstown, Maryland, transferred custody upon his release. Amaya will remain in ICE custody pending his removal from the United States to El Salvador.

"Strong partnerships with local jurisdictions that honor our immigration detainers are vital to ensuring public safety and protecting our Maryland communities," said ERO Baltimore acting Field Office Director Matthew Elliston. "Through cooperation, we can effectively remove individuals, like Amaya, with serious criminal convictions from our streets. Together, we create a safer environment for all Maryland residents, fostering trust and security in the communities we serve."

Amaya entered the U.S. on an unknown date at an unknown location without being admitted by an immigration official. The U.S. Border Patrol encountered Amaya Nov. 19, 2005.

A Department of Justice immigration judge ordered Amaya removed to El Salvador on Nov. 15, 2006. Homeland Security Investigations granted Amaya deferred action for one year on April 29, 2011.

The Baltimore County Police Department in Maryland arrested and charged Amaya with negligent manslaughter Dec. 5, 2022. Officers with ERO lodged an immigration detainer with the Baltimore County Detention Center in Towson, Maryland, Jan. 31, 2023.

The Circuit Court of Baltimore County in Towson, Maryland, convicted Amaya of negligent manslaughter Nov. 3, 2023, and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment and five years of supervised probation.

ERO is one of ICE's three operational directorates and 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-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE's mission to increase public safety in our Baltimore communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROBaltimore.