ICE Deports Former El Salvadoran Military Intelligence Officer from California

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested and deported a 67-year-old former El Salvadoran military intelligence officer who was residing in California. Jaime Avalos-Jimenez was arrested on September 4 in Livermore, California, and deported back to El Salvador on September 18.

Avalos-Jimenez served in the Salvadoran Army from 1977 to 1988 as an intelligence officer for Destacamento Militar No. 7. This military unit has been accused of various human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture, sexual assault, disappearances, bombings, and detention-related abuse.

Officials state that Avalos-Jimenez participated in Operation Fenix, a military operation during the Salvadoran civil war that involved indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations suspected of supporting the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front. He is also accused of involvement in the abuse of detainees believed to be associated with the guerrilla organization.

Avalos-Jimenez entered the United States illegally in 1989. He subsequently filed for relief and benefits, but his applications were denied. The Department of Homeland Security indicated that he misrepresented his military service and involvement in human rights abuses on his applications.

Following a court's denial of his petition for review, ICE officials proceeded with his arrest and deportation. ICE San Francisco Field Office Director Sergio Albarran stated, "ICE remains committed to identifying and removing individuals who have participated in human rights abuses and who have no legal basis to remain in the United States." He added, "The United States will not be a safe haven for human rights violators."

Officials reported that Avalos-Jimenez had no known criminal arrests in the U.S. The operation in California is part of ICE's increased immigration enforcement efforts, including a recently launched initiative called "Operation Safe California."