ICE arrests illegal alien accused of killing daughter in Arizona

PHOENIX, Ariz. - ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers took custody of Brenda Liliana Rivera-Estrada, a Mexican citizen accused of multiple felony charges related to manslaughter and child abuse stemming from an April 12 rollover collision. Police transferred Rivera-Estrada to ICE custody pursuant to an immigration detainer April 16.

The rollover collision, which attracted local and national media attention, killed Rivera-Estrada's 9-year-old daughter, who was ejected from the vehicle. Three other children were injured. Law enforcement officials suspected Rivera-Estrada's impairment caused the crash, and she was held on a $100,000 bond. However, the county attorney did not file charges and she was released.

"The identification and arrest of Brenda Liliana Rivera-Estrada by ICE underscores the importance of the Criminal Alien Program and highlights the public safety efforts undertaken by officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations," said ERO Phoenix Deputy Field Office Director Alejandro Almeida. "Her fate now rests with the Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review, and any available administrative or judicial appellate recourse, which will determine her eligibility to remain in the United States."

ICE officers encountered Rivera-Estrada at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office's Intake, Transfer and Release facility the day she was booked. ICE maintains a presence within the facility and interviews everyone who's booked in, which helps identify illegal aliens and criminal aliens subject to removal from the United States. This critical enforcement activity is part of ICE's Criminal Alien Program, which provides for the safe and efficient custodial transfer of criminal aliens into ICE custody through a controlled environment, significantly reducing inherent risks to ICE officers, aliens and the community.

Rivera-Estrada entered the United States Feb. 14, 2009, through Nogales, Arizona, as a nonimmigrant border-crosser with authorization to remain up to 30 days. She remained in the United States beyond that period in violation of our laws.

Rivera-Estrada will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of her immigration proceedings.