NEW YORK, NY (May 21, 2025) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) New York City, in collaboration with federal and local law enforcement, arrested Marlon Josuel Cruz Fernandez, an undocumented immigrant from the Dominican Republic wanted in his home country for homicide, on May 19 in New Rochelle.
Cruz, who illegally entered the U.S. in 2015, was apprehended without incident by ICE officers and special agents from the Newburgh office, alongside agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations, pursuant to a warrant of arrest.
“This foreign fugitive mistakenly thought he could exploit our immigration laws to evade arrest in his home country,” said Judith Almodovar, acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City. “Let his futile attempt highlight to other criminal aliens we will always collaborate with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to ensure these fugitives are returned to their home countries to face justice.”
The U.S. Border Patrol first encountered Cruz on Dec. 11, 2015, in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas after he illegally crossed the border. He was served a notice to appear for violating the Immigration and Nationality Act and was transferred to ICE custody. ICE Harlingen granted Cruz bond on Feb. 1, 2016, which he posted three days later. However, Cruz failed to appear for his immigration proceedings on Jan. 5, 2017, resulting in an immigration judge ordering his removal in absentia to the Dominican Republic.
On Feb. 2, 2018, authorities in Santo Domingo issued a warrant for Cruz’s arrest for homicide, which was internationalized six weeks later. ICE New York City was notified of the warrant on March 16, 2025.
The arrest followed an incident on May 17, when the New Rochelle Police Department detained Cruz for improper vehicle plates and impounded his vehicle.
Cruz was released on his own recognizance before police realized he was an international fugitive wanted for homicide. Upon receiving this information, the New Rochelle Police Department promptly notified ICE, leading to Cruz’s arrest by ICE and federal partners.
Cruz is currently in ICE custody pending his removal to the Dominican Republic to face homicide charges.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.