Mayerlin Urena/Dominican Republic/Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl

On July 2025, ICE New Orleans arrested Mayerlin Urena, a citizen of the Dominican Republic who is unlawfully present in the United States. Urena was taken into custody as part of ongoing efforts to remove foreign nationals convicted of serious drug offenses from U.S. communities.

Urena has a federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, one of the deadliest narcotics currently circulating in the United States. She was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for her role in trafficking the synthetic opioid. Given the lethal nature of fentanyl and the high volume of overdose deaths linked to it nationwide, ICE classified Urena as a significant enforcement priority.

Following her arrest, Urena was processed by ICE and placed in detention pending removal proceedings. Her conviction is considered an aggravated felony under immigration law, making her ineligible for nearly all forms of relief. She will remain in ICE custody throughout the legal process and is expected to be removed to the Dominican Republic upon conclusion of her case.

ICE officials have reiterated that individuals convicted of fentanyl-related crimes are prioritized for enforcement due to the threat such substances pose to the public. Urena’s criminal history meets the threshold for mandatory detention and expedited removal under current immigration statutes.