El Paso Standard

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in St. Paul removed Leonardo Elias Chicoj Mejia, a 26-year-old Guatemalan national, who was illegally present in the United States. He was sent back to Guatemala on April 9 to face gender-based violence charges, including domestic violence.

Upon his arrival, Chicoj was taken into custody by Guatemalan authorities, working closely with the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement task force. He was then transferred to the courthouse for criminal proceedings.

Chicoj entered the United States at an unspecified location without being admitted by an immigration official. He came to the attention of ICE officers on February 4 while being held at Beadle County Jail in Huron, South Dakota, on local charges, including assault, obstructing an officer, and resisting arrest.

Following his encounter with ICE, Chicoj was transferred on February 6 to ICE custody at the Minnehaha County Jail in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to begin removal proceedings.

Peter Berg, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operation St. Paul Field Office Director, remarked, "We appreciate the cooperation of our partners in South Dakota to assist in removing this illegal alien from our community. We also appreciate the efforts of our ICE office in Guatemala in making this a smooth transition so Chicoj can face justice in his home country."

For more information on ICE's mission to increase public safety in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska, visit their social media on X, @EROSaintPaul.