U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it deported a Mexican national wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant from Sinaloa for an alleged aggravated rape of an underage family member.
Omar Alberto Almodobar Mondragon, 29, was handed over to Mexican authorities Thursday at the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona, ICE said. According to the agency, he entered the United States in November 2019 on a visitor visa and did not depart as required.
ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations Phoenix Field Office Director John Cantu said in a statement that the agency will continue its mission to "preserve public safety and national security by keeping dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities." "There is no place in our society for these vile child predators," Cantu added.
ICE identified the charge as "aggravated rape against an underage family member" and said the arrest warrant originated in Sinaloa, Mexico. The agency did not provide details on when or where Mondragon was taken into ICE custody, nor did it release information on any U.S. criminal charges.
Transfers of migrants to Mexican authorities at land ports of entry are a routine part of U.S. immigration enforcement when individuals are removed from the country, ICE said. Following handover, Mexican authorities typically assume custody for any pending criminal proceedings under Mexican jurisdiction.
The deportation underscores the federal agency's focus on removing noncitizens who are subject to criminal allegations or outstanding warrants from foreign jurisdictions. ICE's statement framed the action as part of its congressionally mandated enforcement responsibilities to protect communities and national security.
Mexican authorities have not publicly released information about Mondragon's status following the transfer. ICE did not respond to immediate requests for additional details beyond its public statement.
The case comes amid ongoing public and political debate over U.S. immigration enforcement priorities and cross-border cooperation with Mexico on criminal matters. Removal operations and handovers at ports of entry remain a standard mechanism for returning noncitizens who are subject to deportation orders or criminal warrants abroad.
ICE said it will continue to cooperate with international and domestic partners in cases involving alleged sexual offenses and other serious crimes, reiterating that protecting public safety is central to its enforcement mission.