On August 1, 2024, officers from Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston apprehended Jorge Luis Castro-Alvarado, a 28-year-old Guatemalan national, in Lynn, Massachusetts. Castro-Alvarado, who was unlawfully present in the United States, is charged with raping a Massachusetts resident.
According to ERO Boston, Castro-Alvarado entered the U.S. illegally at an unknown time and location, bypassing inspection, admission, or parole by immigration authorities. He later made his way to Massachusetts, where he allegedly committed multiple crimes.
“Jorge Luis Castro-Alvarado unlawfully entered the United States before making his way to Massachusetts and allegedly victimizing a resident here,” said Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director for ERO Boston. “Castro posed a significant threat to the members of our community. ERO Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by apprehending and removing noncitizen threats to our New England neighborhoods.”
As one of ICE’s three operational directorates, ERO is responsible for domestic immigration enforcement, managing detained and non-detained populations, and repatriating noncitizens ordered for removal. The ERO workforce, which includes over 7,700 personnel, operates across 25 domestic field offices and numerous international locations.
Castro-Alvarado’s criminal record includes an arrest for assault and battery of a family or household member. Initially, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with the sentence later reduced to six months. Despite an immigration detainer issued by ERO Boston following his arrest, Castro-Alvarado was released on bail without notification to immigration authorities. The Lynn District Court convicted him of assault and battery, but he faced additional charges of rape and indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 in Essex County Superior Court. Despite the seriousness of the charges, he was released on bail with conditions, including GPS monitoring.
The case has raised concerns about public safety and the enforcement of immigration laws. Immigration detainers, which are requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to state or local law enforcement agencies, allow ICE to assume custody of noncitizens for removal purposes. These detainers are seen as critical tools for public safety, ensuring that individuals who pose a threat are not released into the community.
In response to Castro-Alvarado’s release, ERO Boston officers acted swiftly to arrest him and ensure that he faces removal proceedings. Castro-Alvarado has been served with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge.
In a released statement, ICE stated ERO Boston remains committed to its mission of identifying and arresting noncitizens who pose a threat to public safety. The agency encourages the public to report crimes or suspicious activity through the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or via the online tip form.
