Dallas ICE agents arrested Guatemalan national Dennis Valenzuela for murder charges in his home country.
FORT WORTH, Texas — A Guatemalan national wanted for murder in his home country was arrested by Dallas ICE agents at his home in North Texas, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
ICE officials said in a statement that 37-year-old Dennis Alexander Valenzuela was in the United States illegally and was arrested on Jan. 31 at his home in Fort Worth.
Valenzuela, ICE said, entered the U.S. at or near Hildalgo on June 16, 2021, without an immigration inspection, admission, or parole by an immigration officer. ICE officials said Valenzuela was served a Notice to Appear by the U.S. Border Patrol on the same day.
“Our officers pursue criminal aliens who attempt to hide in the shadows of our communities daily,” said acting ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office Director Joshua Johnson. “The apprehension and pending removal of this individual underscores our dedication to upholding the laws of our country and safeguarding our communities.”
Valenzuela will kept at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, pending removal proceedings, according to ICE.
Officials did not provide any additional information about the allegation of murder and did not say whether Valenzuela faced any other charges in the U.S.
Five days before Valenzuela’s arrest, ICE arrested 84 people across North Texas during an immigration enforcement operation, the agency confirmed. All detainees will go through processing at the Dallas ICE Field Office before facing potential deportation, the department said.
