ICE Issues Detainer for Illegal Immigrant Charged in New York Taxi Driver’s Murder
BREWSTER, N.Y. — Federal immigration authorities have lodged a detainer for Santos Paulino Vasquez-Ramirez, an illegal immigrant charged with the brutal killing of a New York taxi driver earlier this month. Vasquez-Ramirez, a Guatemalan national who entered the United States illegally in 2013, was arrested and charged with homicide and robbery following the death of Aurelio Zhunio-Orbez, a 66-year-old cab operator whose body was discovered in a local reservoir on December 7.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that the detainer was issued to ensure Vasquez-Ramirez remains in federal custody and is not released back into the community. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Vasquez-Ramirez was previously released into the country under policies in place during the Obama administration, despite an immigration judge issuing a final order of removal in early 2016.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of DHS condemned the circumstances that allowed Vasquez-Ramirez to remain in the country, stating, “Santos Vasquez Ramirez should’ve never been in our country in the first place and provided the opportunity to gruesomely take the life of Aurelio Zhunio-Orbez.” She emphasized that the arrest and detainer reflect the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and target what DHS describes as the “worst of the worst.”
The killing occurred during a fare dispute on December 1 in Brewster, a town in Putnam County, New York. Authorities arrested Vasquez-Ramirez on December 12, charging him with murder and robbery. The victim’s body was found floating in the Croton Falls Reservoir days after the incident.
Since President Donald Trump’s return to office earlier this year, the administration has reported significant progress in border security, citing data that more than 2.5 million illegal immigrants have left the country, either through self-deportation or forced removal. The DHS highlighted that approximately 1.9 million migrants self-deported, while over 622,000 were formally removed by authorities, contributing to what it calls the “most secure border in American history.”
Critics of prior immigration policies argue that the release of individuals with criminal charges or removal orders has led to tragic consequences, as seen in this case. The incident has sparked renewed debate over immigration enforcement and the balance between humanitarian considerations and public safety.
ICE’s action to lodge a detainer for Vasquez-Ramirez aligns with its stated mission to prevent individuals who pose a threat to communities from remaining in the country. The agency’s website details ongoing efforts to identify and detain criminal illegal immigrants nationwide.
Local law enforcement worked closely with federal agents during the investigation and arrest. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office continues to cooperate with ICE and DHS as the case moves forward.
For more information on immigration enforcement and border security efforts, visit the Department of Homeland Security Immigration Enforcement page and the ICE detainer policy overview. The tragic death of Aurelio Zhunio-Orbez serves as a somber reminder of the complexities and challenges faced in managing immigration and public safety in the United States.
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