Matthew Cooney/United Kingdom/Theft

In July 2025, ERO New Orleans arrested Matthew Cooney, a citizen of the United Kingdom who has been unlawfully present in the United States since his visa expired in 2016. Cooney, who has remained in the country without legal status for nearly a decade, was taken into ICE custody following the discovery of his criminal conviction.

Cooney’s record includes a felony conviction for theft of property exceeding $5,000 in value—a serious offense that resulted in his identification by ICE officers as a deportable criminal alien. Property crimes of this scale are considered aggravated felonies under immigration law, especially when involving high-dollar losses or targeting individuals or businesses.

ERO officers encountered Cooney during routine enforcement activity targeting foreign nationals with unresolved immigration violations and criminal records. After verifying his expired visa status and felony conviction, agents arrested Cooney and placed him into removal proceedings.

Because of his immigration violation and conviction, Cooney is ineligible for relief or adjustment of status under federal law. ICE confirmed that he will remain in custody throughout the course of his removal proceedings and is expected to be deported to the United Kingdom upon completion of the legal process.