MIAMI – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removed Edgar Batista Matos, a Dominican national wanted for human smuggling that led to the deaths of three minors, on March 4. He was deported from Miami International Airport and handed over to authorities upon arrival in Santo Domingo.
Batista Matos, 36, had been previously removed from the United States three times. His first deportation occurred in 2010 after he was caught illegally entering Puerto Rico. He was deported again in 2011, 2019, and 2023.
He was arrested in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in September 2024 after Dominican authorities issued a warrant for his involvement in the fatal smuggling operation. ICE took custody of him on Feb. 6 and transferred him to Miami for deportation.
“The return of this fugitive to the Dominican Republic is a prime example of how ICE works closely with our international law enforcement partners,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Miami acting Field Office Director Juan Lopez Vega.
ICE coordinated the deportation with the Dominican National Police.