A 51-year-old Liberian national, Eric Sumo, who is wanted in his home country for document fraud, was arrested on April 21 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Alexandria, Virginia. His apprehension was part of a broader immigration enforcement operation in Northern Virginia that also led to the arrest of two Salvadoran nationals, both of whom are illegally present in the United States. One of the Salvadorans has prior drug convictions.
The operation was carried out jointly by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Washington, D.C. field office, in coordination with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Department of Justice’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). ICE confirmed that all three individuals remain in its custody as immigration proceedings continue.
Sumo was arrested under a Liberian INTERPOL Diffusion issued for his alleged involvement in the manufacturing and possession of fraudulent U.S. visas. U.S. authorities say the operation highlights the effectiveness of international law enforcement collaboration, particularly in cases involving transnational crimes.
“ICE Washington, D.C. takes our commitment to public safety very seriously,” said Russell Hott, Field Office Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Washington, D.C. “Our brave officers are out on the streets every day enforcing U.S. immigration laws and ensuring the safety of our Washington, D.C. and Virginia communities. We will continue our mission to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing criminal alien offenders from our neighborhoods.”
The U.S. Embassy in Monrovia issued a statement praising the operation and emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation between American and Liberian authorities. “The U.S. Embassy in Monrovia welcomes the recent announcement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement regarding the arrest and removal of a fugitive wanted in Liberia for producing and selling fraudulent documents,” the statement read.
The Embassy also extended appreciation to the Liberia National Police and the Ministry of Justice for their support in the case, saying their efforts are vital to protecting the integrity of Liberian identity documents and upholding the rule of law.
The case underscores the growing emphasis on international coordination in immigration enforcement and transnational crime prevention. U.S. and Liberian authorities have pledged to continue collaborating on future investigations to ensure accountability and enhance national security on both sides.
