Immigration and Customs Enforcement released a press release on Friday, announcing that authorities have arrested a Jamaican national wanted for robbery, attempted murder, and wounding with intent in his home country.
“Even with the difficulties of working in a ‘sanctuary’ city, ICE will not allow violent criminals to seek refuge from prosecution within our borders,” said Thomas R. Decker, field office director for Enforcement and Removal Operations New York.
Mwando Lloyd Pryce has been residing in New York since 2009. Pryce legally arrived in the United States 8 years ago on a nonimmigrant visa that expired in February 2009. But Pryce overstayed his welcome. Authorities never bothered to follow up, until Interpol issued a Red Notice on Pryce in 2015 for the aforementioned crimes he committed in Jamaica while serving as Police Constable.
In August 2017, ERO Headquarters in Washington, DC suspected Pryce was living in New York - a sanctuary city. ERO Bronx tracked down the illegal alien and arrested him on November 22nd.
“This arrest is another example of ERO’s dedication to finding these criminals and removing them from our city. Pryce will soon have to answer to charges in his home country,” added decker.
Red Notices have helped ICE track down numerous illegal aliens in the past. Red Notices are issued by Interpol at the request of a member country or an international tribunal. They are not considered an international arrest warrant.
In 2016, a three day project by ICE called "Project Red II" helped authorities nab 45 fugitives in the U.S. wanted for crimes in 22 different countries.
“Identifying and arresting foreign fugitives is a global law enforcement priority and commands the full commitment of ICE resources,” ERO Executive Associate Director Tom Homan said at the time. “It is our duty to the American people and our partner countries to ensure that these individuals are removed from the shadows of our communities and returned to their home countries to face justice for their criminal acts.”
Interpol has commented on the extraordinary level of cooperation between ICE and the international agency as well.
“For more than a decade, Interpol Washington and ICE have partnered to share critical law enforcement investigative information to keep fugitives off our streets,” said Interpol Washington Director Geoffrey S. Shank. “The level of cooperation and partnership exemplified throughout Project Red II are a reflection of the achievements made possible when law enforcement agencies collaborate to ensure our nation and world are a safer place.”
Pryce is currently in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.