Washington, DC - A Czech national wanted for breaking and entering, theft, larceny and violation of domestic freedom was deported and turned over Tuesday to law enforcement authorities in Prague to face criminal charges there.
This enforcement action was conducted by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Detroit and Chicago with assistance from ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Attaché in Vienna.
“The removal of aggravated felons is among the agency’s highest enforcement priorities – especially those wanted for crimes in their home countries,” said Rebecca Adducci, ERO Detroit field office director. “ICE will continue to focus agency resources on criminal aliens other priorities.”
In August 2014, Petr Vana, 38, was convicted federally of bank fraud in Chicago. On Dec. 5 2014, the District Court in Uherske Hradiste issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of breaking and entering, theft, larceny and violation of domestic freedom. On Dec. 29 2014, ICE issued a final order of removal against Vana as an aggravated felon.
Vana was repatriated under escort to Prague via commercial airline from Chicago and turned over Tuesday to the custody of Czech Republic authorities.
In fiscal year 2014, ERO removed 315,943 individuals from the United States. In addition to convicted criminals, the agency's enforcement priorities include those apprehended while attempting to unlawfully enter the United States, illegal re-entrants – individuals who returned to the United States after being previously removed by ICE – and immigration fugitives. In fiscal year 2014, 98 percent of ICE removals met these priorities.