As a leader in Congress to change extradition laws and close the safe havens for
criminals, U.S. Representative Kevin Brady (TX-08) applauded the decision today of the Mexican government to return Jose Luis Del Toro, Jr. to the United States.  Del Toro was indicted on the murder of Sheila Balasch, a mother in Sarasota, Fla., after he fled to Mexico where he had been hiding since November, 1997. 

“Today’s actions should send a clear message to criminals who flee the United States that they are running out of places to hide once they commit a crime here,” said Brady. “Just as countries have updated their trade, human rights, and environmental laws to reflect a changing world, it’s time for the international community to update their extradition agreements.  If we succeed, criminals will have
nowhere on the globe to hide.”

“I think the timing of Del Toro’s return is particularly important as the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to consider legislation this week that will require the State Department to identify countries that have become safe havens, identify factors which contribute to the international extradition problem, and submit to Congress a report on updating and modernizing outdated extradition treaties,” said Brady.

According to officials at the U.S. Department of Justice who contacted Rep. Brady’s office, Del Toro will be returned the United States tonight.