U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston office confirmed the removal of Bryan Rafael Gomez from the United States. Gomez, wanted for homicide in the Dominican Republic, was apprehended on September 25 and removed on October 20, 2023, according to agency officials.
The statement from ERO Boston described Gomez as a criminal illegal alien. His case has gained notable attention due to its complexities. Gomez entered the United States illegally in 2022 and had previously been encountered by Border Patrol in Lukeville, Arizona, though he was released at that time, as indicated by the Department of Homeland Security.
In January 2023, Dominican authorities issued a criminal arrest warrant for Gomez related to a homicide. His legal troubles in the U.S. intensified in April 2026 when Worcester police arrested him on charges of assault and battery involving a household member. Following his release on bail, he was taken into custody by ICE.
A federal judge later ordered Gomez’s release pending immigration proceedings, citing the government’s failure to present the overseas homicide warrant during the hearing. This decision sparked controversy and brought scrutiny to the handling of information by DHS. Gomez was re-arrested in Massachusetts in July 2026, after which an immigration judge issued a final order of removal against him.
ERO Boston noted the swift action in this case, emphasizing the removal was completed less than a month after his arrest. Local authorities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island had been involved in Gomez’s earlier criminal and immigration proceedings.
The removal highlights ongoing efforts by U.S. immigration authorities to address cases involving individuals with outstanding criminal charges in other countries.
