U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the removal of a 29-year-old Mexican national wanted for femicide in Puebla, Mexico, following his arrest in Arizona and subsequent immigration proceedings.
Femicide is defined as a crime in which a female is murdered on account of her gender.
ICE officials said Caleb Aragon Venegas, an illegal alien, was transferred to Mexican authorities on Sept. 18 at the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales. He had been detained at the Eloy Detention Center before his removal. Mexican authorities had issued an arrest warrant for Aragon Venegas related to a charge of femicide, a serious violent crime.
Federal officials said Aragon Venegas entered the United States illegally on an unknown date and location. On April 10, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrested him near Lukeville. After being placed in immigration custody, an immigration judge ordered him removed from the United States on Sept. 8.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Phoenix Field Office Director John Cantu said the case demonstrates the agency’s work to protect U.S. communities from dangerous fugitives while supporting international law enforcement efforts. “The return of this fugitive to Mexico is a prime example of how ICE works closely with our international law enforcement partners to identify, locate, and remove criminal aliens who are wanted in their native countries,” Cantu said. “This fugitive attempted to flee justice in Mexico and take refuge in Arizona while presenting a significant threat to our communities.”
Officials said ICE coordinated directly with Mexican authorities to ensure Aragon Venegas was safely turned over to law enforcement at the border. He will now face prosecution in Mexico on the pending charge.
ICE emphasized that removing fugitives wanted for serious crimes abroad is a central part of its public safety mission. According to the agency, fugitives who cross illegally into the United States not only attempt to evade justice in their home countries but also present potential risks to American neighborhoods. Enforcement and Removal Operations officers prioritize such cases to ensure dangerous offenders are taken into custody and returned to face charges.
Federal officials said this removal reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation with international partners and keep U.S. communities safe from fugitives who cross the border illegally to avoid accountability.
