ICE Boston arrests illegal Dominican national convicted of beating his pregnant girlfriend to death while child watched in Massachusetts
BOSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Cesar Augusto Polanco, 59, on January 24 at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution in Norfolk after he was released from state custody. Polanco was an illegally present Dominican national who had been convicted of murder in Massachusetts in 2007.
Acting ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde stated that although Cesar Augusto Polanco entered the nation legally, his heinous acts have made him a serious threat to the citizens. We will not permit dangerous foreign criminals to pose a threat to our community. These criminals will be apprehended and removed from New England as part of ICE ERO Boston’s ongoing commitment to public safety.
Polanco broke the conditions of his lawful entrance after entering the country on March 18, 1990, at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
On March 8, 2007, Polanco was found guilty of murder and given a life sentence with the possibility of release. On June 20, 2013, Polanco was placed into immigration detention at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution by ICE.
Polanco was ordered to leave the United States for the Dominican Republic on June 25, 2014, after ICE served him with a notice to appear before an immigration judge from the Department of Justice on December 20, 2013.
The Massachusetts Correctional Institution notified ICE Boston of Polanco’s release and paid respect to the immigration detainer. Polanco is still being held by ICE while removal procedures are being conducted.
On October 26, 2006, Polanco called Lawrence police and told them that he had slain Judith Guevara, according to the Parole Board. Together with their 16-month-old daughter and Guevara’s 5-year-old son from a previous relationship, Polanco and Guevara had shared an apartment. Guevara was also around a month along in her pregnancy. Guevara and Polanco quarreled about him going out to drink that night. Polanco beat Guevara to death as the disagreement descended into violence. Guevara’s son saw his mother being beaten by Polanco. Polanco reported to the police that Guevara had threatened him with a knife and hit him before he killed her. Guevara was declared dead at the hospital after suffering severe facial injuries. It was concluded that homicide by blunt force trauma and blood aspiration was the cause of death.
ICE will keep exchanging information and coordinating operations with state and local law enforcement partners in a manner that guarantees community safety because we understand how important those relationships are, Hyde stated. This collaboration led to the Massachusetts Correctional Institution reaching out to ICE and facilitating the safe transfer of a violent offender. Instead of sending a team of police into the community to undertake a potentially risky arrest, they made it possible for us to make the arrest in the security of a jail cell.
By delegating certain immigration officer responsibilities, the 287(g) program enables ICE to work with its state and local law enforcement partners to safeguard the homeland by apprehending and expelling noncitizens who jeopardize the integrity of U.S. immigration laws and the safety of U.S. communities. Even though the 287(g) Program has had positive results, ICE acknowledges that not all jurisdictions view the program as the most suitable or successful model. As a result, ICE is still able to enforce stringent oversight and use 287(g) agreements. ICE continuously assesses the program’s overall efficacy.
The public can report crimes or suspicious activities by filling out the online tip form or calling the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) if they have information about child sex offenders.
