JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — ICE arrested and plans to remove Phillip Harkins, a convicted murderer and criminal illegal alien from Scotland, upon his release from the Florida Department of Corrections Aug. 18.

Harkins served a 25-year prison sentence for the murder of a United States citizen during a drug deal in 1999 and is currently detained at the Baker County Detention Center in Macclenny, Florida. He was ordered removed by an immigration judge in August of 2002.

“ICE will not allow criminal illegal aliens to evade justice or remain in the U.S. unlawfully,” said ICE ERO Miami Field Office Director Garrett Ripa. “This arrest underscores our unwavering commitment to enforcing immigration laws and removing dangerous individuals who threaten the safety and security of our communities. Illegal aliens who violate our laws and harm American citizens will face the full force of law for their crimes and then will be removed from the U.S.”

Harkins has a lengthy criminal history.

On June 13, 1996, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested him for possession of a weapon and carrying a concealed firearm. He was convicted of these offenses on Jan. 13, 1997, by the Duval County Court.

On Feb. 4, 2000, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested Harkins for homicide. After posting bond, he fled to Scotland to evade the pending charges in Duval County, Florida. Following a prolonged extradition legal battle in Scotland, Harkins was extradited to the U.S. and convicted of murder and first-degree armed robbery on May 17, 2018. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with credit for 5,631 days served in the United Kingdom for other crimes.

For more information on ICE Miami’s immigration enforcement efforts, visit @EROMiami on X.