
The streets of Philadelphia witnessed the culmination of an international search on December 17, when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers, with support from the U.S. Marshals Service, nabbed a Jamaican fugitive wanted for murder in his home country. The man, identified as 23-year-old Jeovann Anthony Forde, was taken into custody without incident during a precisely coordinated operation. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported that Forde remains in ERO custody as he awaits removal from the United States.
Forde's arrest, as described by ICE, didn't come out of the blue. He was initially encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in San Ysidro, California, on July 18, 2022. Subsequently enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention SmartLink program, Forde was released a day later. However, after failing to meet the program's conditions, an immigration judge ordered his removal in absentia on July 24, 2023. He was determined to be removed after he was terminated on June 27, 2023, from the program. Following this, a warrant for his arrest was issued by Jamaican authorities on May 24, escalating the case to an international level.
Brian McShane, the Acting ERO Philadelphia Field Office Director, underscored the operation's significance with a stern warning for others who might evade justice across borders. "Forde’s arrest should send a clear message to anyone who attempts to flee prosecution in their home country that you will be caught, and you will be returned to face justice," McShane asserted, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He highlighted the officers' diligence, pointing out that this arrest marks "the fourth foreign fugitive that our officers have arrested in the last two weeks." This consistency showcases their unwavering commitment to homeland protection.
ERO, a key directorate within ICE, shoulders the heavy responsibility of domestic immigration enforcement. It operates with over 7,700 personnel dispersed across the nation and abroad, all working to safeguard communities by arresting and removing those undermining U.S. laws and security. As ICE announced, the public plays a role in this endeavor, too – they are encouraged to report crimes and suspicious activities by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE or completing an online tip form, which increases public safety awareness in areas like Philadelphia.
For further updates on the roles and missions of ERO in Philadelphia, the public can look to social media. The details of their operations and their impact on ensuring safer neighborhoods can be found on platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROPhiladelphia, where ICE ensures the transparency of its mission in public safety enhancement.