ICE removes Mexican national convicted of rape

LOS ANGELES — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers arrested and removed a convicted rapist and public safety threat from the United States to Mexico, Wednesday.

Roberto Briseno Herrera, 61, is an illegally present Mexican national who has a conviction for rape, as well as multiple convictions for weapons possession. As a previously convicted aggravated felon he is an ICE enforcement priority.

An immigration judge ordered Briseno Herrera removed in June 2012; he has been subsequently removed twice from the U.S. after re-entering without admission or parole by an immigration officer. In accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), unlawful return after removal is a federal offense. A person who is ordered removed, is then physically removed, and thereafter illegally reenters can be subject to reinstatement of the previous removal order.

Following his most recent apprehension, officers served Briseno Herrera with notice of intent to reinstate his prior removal order and again removed him from the U.S.

ICE continues to implement interim civil immigration enforcement priorities directed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to focus its limited resources on threats to national security, border security, and public safety. ICE carries out its duty to enforce the laws of the United States in accordance with the Department’s national security and public safety mission.