A man wanted in Guatemala for child abuse and other crimes was recently arrested by Harrisburg Police for simple assault and strangulation before being deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia removed the individual, a Guatemalan citizen named Romeo Pop Sacui, with a final order of removal back to Guatemala on October 22. Pop was a foreign fugitive sought by Guatemalan authorities for child abuse, violence against women, and abuse of power.
According to ICE, the man was initially arrested by U.S. Border Patrol in 2019. However, ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations San Diego released him into the Alternatives to Detention program on an order of recognizance. After he absconded, ERO Miami removed him from the program, and a Justice Department immigration judge ordered his removal from the U.S.
Harrisburg Police detained the man in September 2024 for simple assault and strangulation. Subsequently, ERO Philadelphia took him into custody later that same month.
ERO Philadelphia Field Office Director Cammilla Wamsley emphasized the importance of protecting the American public, stating that ERO officers regularly apprehend and deport violent criminal noncitizens like Romeo Pop Sacui, who have a history of criminal activities in their home countries and continue to engage in unlawful behavior in the U.S.
The incident has reignited discussions about U.S. border security, particularly in light of the ongoing 2024 presidential race. Former President Donald Trump has expressed intentions to pursue what he calls the 'largest mass deportation in American history.'
Trump's running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, echoed these sentiments, vowing to take action against criminal elements, particularly cartel activities, at the border once Trump assumes office.
