ICE Deports Two Mexican Fugitives Wanted for Homicide
ICE deported two Mexican men wanted for homicide from Houston on July 21, 2026 — but one of them had already been in ICE's hands in 2024 and was released. The reason: enforcement priorities at the time allowed officers to skip the case. Now, after a federal conviction, he is gone.
What if ICE encountered someone at a local jail — and then let them go? That is exactly what happened in one of two deportation cases ICE's Houston Field Office completed on July 21, 2026, when officers removed Agustin Morales-Renteria and Juan Becerra Ruiz, both 24, to Mexico, where each faces serious criminal charges.
How Each Case Unfolded
Morales-Renteria entered the US illegally in September 2021 and was expelled the same day under Title 42, the COVID-era public health rule that allowed rapid border removals. Days later, a regional attorney general's office in Mexico issued an arrest warrant for aggravated homicide. He re-entered the US illegally in October 2021. In December 2024, ICE encountered him at a Missouri sheriff's office after a local arrest for vehicle tampering and felony drug possession. Under the enforcement priorities in place at that time, officers applied prosecutorial discretion — a policy tool that lets immigration officials decide not to pursue a case — and took no action. He was later convicted in federal court of being an undocumented person in possession of a firearm and sentenced to 18 months in prison. After that sentence, he was transferred to ICE custody in May 2026. An immigration judge ordered his removal on July 2, and ICE carried out that order on July 21.
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Becerra Ruiz entered the US on an unknown date. In October 2022, Mexican authorities in Querétaro issued a warrant for his arrest for intentional homicide. US Border Patrol learned of the warrant and his location in the Houston area in May 2026. Agents detained him during a traffic stop in Spring, Texas, on June 4 and transferred him to ICE. An immigration judge ordered his removal on June 30, and ICE removed him on July 21, the same day as Morales-Renteria. Both men were handed to Mexican authorities at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo, Texas.
ERO Houston acting Field Office Director Gabriel Martinez said in a statement that officers would continue to enforce immigration laws and prioritize cases that affect public safety, national security, and border security. The statement also pushed back against what Martinez called misinformation from groups critical of ICE enforcement.
What This Means for Enforcement Priorities
The Morales-Renteria case shows how a change in administration can reverse earlier prosecutorial discretion decisions. A person who was not deported under one set of enforcement priorities may be removed under a later administration — especially after a criminal conviction. For immigrants with any criminal history, this shift carries real risk.
What to do
- If you have a criminal record — even an arrest without conviction — talk to an immigration lawyer before your next court date or any contact with law enforcement. A conviction can trigger removal proceedings even years later.
- If ICE has already encountered you and taken no action, do not assume that decision is permanent. Enforcement priorities change with administrations.
- If you receive a removal order (immigration removal proceedings), you generally have 30 days to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals. Missing that window closes most options.
- If you have information about a foreign fugitive in the US, ICE operates a tip line at 1-866-347-2423.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Appealing to the BIA”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
The Morales-Renteria case is a clear example of how prosecutorial discretion is not a permanent shield. When enforcement priorities changed, his prior encounter with ICE became the foundation for a fast-track removal after his federal conviction. Anyone who was previously encountered by ICE and released under a discretion policy should treat that as a temporary status, not a resolution — especially if there is any criminal history. Consult an immigration attorney to understand your current exposure before law enforcement contacts you again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE deport someone they previously released without taking action?
Yes. A decision not to pursue a case under prosecutorial discretion is not permanent. If enforcement priorities change — or if the person picks up a new criminal charge — ICE can reopen the case and begin removal proceedings.
How does a criminal conviction affect removal proceedings?
A conviction, especially for a felony or a firearms offense, can make someone a priority for deportation regardless of how long they have lived in the US. It can also eliminate certain forms of relief, like cancellation of removal, that might otherwise be available.
What happens after an immigration judge orders removal?
Once a judge issues a removal order, you generally have 30 days to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). If you do not appeal in time, ICE can carry out the deportation. In some cases, a lawyer may be able to file a motion to reopen — but that window is 90 days and has strict requirements.
What is Title 42 and does it still apply?
Title 42 was a COVID-era public health rule that allowed border officials to quickly expel migrants without a full immigration process. It ended in May 2023 and no longer applies. Border crossings today are processed under standard immigration law.