US returns murder suspect to Guyana

Last Updated on Thursday, 8 March 2018, 7:00 by Denis Chabrol

NEW YORK – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) removed a Guyanese national March 1, who was wanted for murder in his home country.

Anthony Bhupdeo was returned to Guyana after a Guyanese court issued an arrest warrant for him in connection with the alleged murder of Deokumar Basdeo on January 1, 2016.

Basdeo, of  77 Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara was left on a Cane Grove after he was beaten by a gang of seven men while he was returning home from a ‘lime’.

ERO deportation officers escorted Anthony Bhupdeo, 25, who was removed from the United States via a commercial flight. Bhupdeo was transferred into the custody of Guyanese law enforcement authorities upon arrival in Georgetown.

“The removal of Bhupdeo is indicative of ERO’s resolve in carrying out the laws of our nation,” said Thomas Decker, field office director for ERO New York. “We will not provide a safe haven for those who commit crimes in their home countries.  For those criminal aliens hiding within our New York communities, our message is clear: it’s not a matter of if we will remove you, it’s a matter of when.”
On Jan. 2, 2016, Bhupdeo entered the United States as a visitor, with authorization to remain in the United States until July 2016. On Jan. 7, 2016, Guyanese authorities in the East Demerara Magisterial District, issued an arrest warrant for Bhupdeo for violating Criminal Law (PRO) Act, Ch. 10.01, Section 53 of the Criminal Code of Guyana (Murder). In February 2016, the U.S. Department of State revoked Bhupdeo’s visa.

Bhupdeo failed to depart the United States in July 2016, as required. In September 2016, the HSI office in Bogota, Colombia, notified ERO New York that Bhupdeo, may be residing in the New York City metropolitan area, and was being sought in Guyana for murder pursuant to an Interpol Red Notice.

On Oct. 5, 2016, ERO deportation officers arrested Bhupdeo in Woodhaven, New York, and placed him into removal proceedings. On July 26, 2017, Bhupdeo was ordered removed by an immigration judge, but appealed that decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). On Feb. 1, 2018, the BIA dismissed his appeal, paving the way for his removal to Guyana.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 1,700 foreign fugitives from the United States who were sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. In fiscal year 2016, ICE conducted 240,255 removals nationwide. Ninety-two percent of individuals removed from the interior of the United States had previously been convicted of a criminal offense.