On February 14, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in York, Pennsylvania arrested Noel Chinchilla-Avilez, whom ICE identifies as a Honduran national with a final order of removal and a criminal history including charges of statutory rape and receiving stolen property. The detention followed a federal arrest warrant issued on February 10 by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania for failure to depart, according to a news release provided by ICE.
Brian McShane, acting field office director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia, emphasized the agency's dedication to safety and security in the same statement, stating, “The arrest of Noel Chinchilla-Avilez, a criminal alien with a history of serious offenses, highlights our unwavering commitment to public safety. Our officers work tirelessly to protect our communities by removing individuals who pose a threat to our nation's security.” Special Agent in Charge Edward V. Owens also highlighted ICE's effectiveness, affirming the consequences for those committing serious crimes.
Chinchilla-Avilez is now held in federal custody and has been taken to the U.S. District Courthouse in Harrisburg to await the proceeding of criminal charges. ICE encourages members of the public aware of any foreign fugitives or criminal aliens in the U.S. to reach out with information by calling the ICE Tip Line at 1 (866) 347-2423, or to file tips through their online platform.
The apprehension showcases ICE's active measures in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia, the agency's continued operations signal an overarching strategy to enforce immigration laws and maintain public safety; for more details on their enforcement efforts in the region, you can follow their updates on X at @EROPhiladelphia, as indicated in their announcement.
