ICE removes convicted murderer
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SEATTLE – U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement officers removed a man to Mexico earlier this month who had been convicted and served time for second-degree murder in Okanogan County in 2011.
Nicolas Patistan-Perez was convicted on Dec. 15, 2011 and sentenced to serve 123 months in prison. While he was still in jail on that charge in September, immigration officials lodged an immigration detainer with the detention facility. The ensuing conviction made Patistan-Perez an ICE priority for enforcement.
Detainers are lodged against those facing criminal charges who are suspected of being removable. That occurs so that ICE can take custody of the subject when he or she is released from local custody. Patistan-Perez entered ICE custody on Feb. 10. On March 16, he was ordered to be removed to Mexico, which occurred on March 23. ICE reports he was turned over to the custody of Mexican authorities.
ICE is operating under interim civil management enforcement priorities that were directed by the Department of Homeland Security in January. It is charged with focusing its resources on threats to national security, border security, and public safety.
