International Investigations
The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) has been designated by the Department
of Justice (DOJ) as the primary federal agency for apprehending
fugitives that are wanted by foreign nations and believed to be in the
United States. Additionally, the Marshals Service is the primary federal
agency responsible for tracking and extraditing fugitives who are
apprehended in foreign countries and wanted for prosecution in the
United States. The USMS, which has statutory responsibility for all
international extraditions, sees to it that there is no safe haven for
criminals who flee the territorial boundaries of the United States.
International Fugitives
The USMS defines international fugitives as, fugitives wanted in the
United States who have fled to foreign countries to avoid prosecution or
incarceration. The International Investigations Branch is responsible
for processing, reviewing, and forwarding information concerning the
pursuit and apprehension of international fugitives. Interaction with
numerous law enforcement agencies and representatives of foreign
governments is a daily occurrence. With no jurisdiction outside of the
United States, the USMS is constantly networking to establish and
improve relationships with foreign governments to enhance its ability to
apprehend fugitives seeking refuge in foreign countries.
In 2003, the USMS opened field offices in Mexico City, Mexico; Kingston,
Jamaica; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The focus of these
offices is to coordinate USMS fugitive investigations with law
enforcement in each country to organize arrests, extraditions, and
deportations. In addition, the USMS develops on-going training programs
for these countries focusing on fugitive investigation techniques and
officer survival.
Foreign Fugitives
The USMS defines foreign fugitive as, a fugitive who is wanted by a
foreign nation and believed to be in the United States. Cases are
referred to the Marshals Service through Interpol, the Department of
Justice-Office of International Affairs (DOJ-OIA), and through foreign
embassies in the United States.
Criminals from foreign countries often commit crimes in the United
States, therefore foreign fugitive apprehension is an extremely
important mission to the U.S. Marshals Service and the DOJ.
International Extraditions
The USMS is responsible for carrying out extraditions to the United
States from foreign countries and for supporting extraditions to foreign
countries from the United States—a complex task involving coordination
among the DOJ-OIA, the Department of State, foreign governments, U.S.
embassies, and USMS district offices. The extradition process involves
country clearance, threat assessments and security arrangements, travel
arrangements, and any necessary medical assessment and accommodations.
In fiscal year 2010, the U.S. Marshals Service coordinated 805
extraditions/deportations involving 67 countries.
Liaison Positions
- Interpol – United States Central Bureau
- Department of Justice-Office of International Affairs
- Diplomatic Security Service
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