Chairman Goodlatte and Senator Grassley Send a Letter to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson Demanding Information About Another Unlawful Alien Who Committed Murder
August 14, 2015
Washington, D.C.— House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) sent a letter to Secretary Jeh Johnson of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today demanding information about DHS’ contact with Juan Jimenez-Olivera before he was arrested in connection with a murder to which he pleaded guilty last week. This is yet another report of an unlawful alien who has committed murder in the United States.
The letter to Secretary Johnson comes in response to media accounts that Juan Jimenez-Olivera, an unlawful immigrant living in the United States, who pleaded guilty to murder, aggravated arson, desecrating human remains, theft, hindering apprehension and tampering with evidence in connection with the murder of Syiatlana Dranko. Chairmen Goodlatte and Grassley sent the letter seeking to “to better understand how Mr. Jimeniz-Olivera evaded immigration authorities and removal from the country….”
Specifically, the letter requests that DHS provide both Committees “with the immigration history and status, executive summary, criminal history and any other information that may be readily available surrounding Mr. Jimeniz-Olivera.”
Recently, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Goodlatte condemned the Obama Administration for its lack of immigration enforcement against criminal aliens, which has resulted in the victimization and murders of innocent Americans.
Below is the text of the letter. A copy of the signed letter can be found here.
The Honorable Jeh Johnson
Secretary
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC
Dear Secretary Johnson:
According to an online New Jersey media outlet, Juan Jimenez-Olivera pleaded guilty on Wednesday to murdering his female co-worker Syiatlana Dranko, aggravated arson, desecrating human remains, theft, hindering apprehension and tampering with evidence. Mr. Jimeniz-Olivera appeared before Somerset County Superior Court to answer charges surrounding the death of Ms. Dranko, and admitted to the judge that he was in the country illegally.
In order to better understand how Mr. Jimeniz-Olivera evaded immigration authorities and removal from the country, we are seeking answers about his entry to and residency in the United States. Please provide both Committees on the Judiciary, no later than August 18, with the immigration history and status, executive summary, criminal history and any other information that may be readily available surrounding Mr. Jimeniz-Olivera.
Furthermore, please provide the Committees with the following documents and answers to the below questions as soon as possible, but not later than August 28:
- Has Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ever encountered Mr. Jimeniz-Olivera? If so, please provide details.
- Were any detainers or requests for notification about the release of Mr. Jimeniz-Olivera issued by the Department of Homeland Security to any state, local or federal jurisdiction or agency?
- Did Mr. Jimeniz-Olivera ever apply for any immigration benefit, including deferred action? If so, was any application approved? Please provide copies of any applications that Mr. Jimeniz-Olivera may have submitted.
- Please provide a copy of the alien file for Mr. Jimeniz-Olivera.
- Please provide any information collected or maintained by ICE regarding Mr. Jimeniz-Olivera.
- Please provide any information collected or maintained by CBP regarding Mr. Jimeniz-Olivera.
- Please provide any other information collected or maintained by DHS regarding Mr. Jimeniz-Olivera.
- If Mr. Jimeniz-Olivera had been encountered by DHS enforcement officials prior to his arrest in connection with the murder of Ms. Dranko, would he have met the requirements to be considered a priority for removal under the Administration’s new Priority Enforcement Program? If so, please provide the exact reason for such consideration. If not, why not?