ERO Boston arrests Ecuadoran national accused of human trafficking

WOONSOCKET, R.I. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston arrested an Ecuadoran national Jan. 2 who has been accused of human trafficking and migrant smuggling in his home country. The noncitizen, whose name ICE is withholding due to ongoing privacy issues, unlawfully entered the country Nov. 25, 2022. U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrested him in Eagle Pass, Texas, and released him on an order of recognizance.

"This Ecuadoran noncitizen has been accused of felony crimes involving real, human victims in his home country," said ERO Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. "He thought he could hide in Rhode Island, but our communities are not - and never will be - safe havens for fugitives from international justice."

The Ecuadoran national, who is unlawfully present in the U.S., is currently in ICE custody awaiting an appearance before a Department of Justice immigration judge.

ERO is one of ICE's three operational directorates and 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.

You 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 New England communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROBoston.