U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported a Mexican national wanted in his home country for homicide, according to a statement from the agency.

On June 18, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Dallas removed 33-year-old Joaquin Gallegos to Mexico, where he is sought by authorities in Zacatecas for his alleged role in a 2024 homicide. Mexican officials issued an arrest warrant for Gallegos on December 17 of that year.

Gallegos was taken into custody on March 25 during a targeted enforcement operation in Carlsbad, Texas. ERO Dallas served him with an expedited removal order under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

“This foreign fugitive has been returned to his home country to face accountability for very serious crimes,” said ERO Dallas acting Field Office Director Josh Johnson. “Let it be known that the communities of North Texas and Oklahoma will not be a haven for foreign fugitives evading law enforcement. ERO Dallas will seek out and find those hiding in the U.S. and turn them over to our international law enforcement partners.”

Records show Gallegos initially entered the U.S. unlawfully near Laredo, Texas, on November 19, 2020. He was apprehended by Border Patrol agents the same day and returned to Mexico.

The arrest and removal follow coordination between ERO Dallas and the international extraditions office of Mexico. ICE encourages the public to report criminal activity or suspicious behavior by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submitting tips through the agency’s website.

Since returning to office on January 20, President Donald Trump has intensified immigration enforcement efforts across the United States. His administration has increased arrests of illegal immigrants, tightened border security, and moved to revoke legal status from hundreds of thousands of migrants.

According to a recent budget document, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is now targeting the removal of up to 1 million individuals annually, aligning with Trump’s campaign pledge to pursue record-level deportations.