ERO arrests twice-removed noncitizen in Princeton while second absconds due to civilian interference

NEWARK, N.J. — Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark conducted targeted operations in Princeton July 10 to arrest two unlawfully present noncitizens. The first target, a 29-year-old Guatemalan national who had been removed twice from the United States, was charged earlier this year with simple assault, aggravated assault and robbery in Princeton. The Guatemalan noncitizen failed to appear for his hearing before the Princeton Municipal Court, which issued a bench warrant for his arrest. ERO Newark deportation officers arrested the subject without incident. He remains in ICE custody.

On the same date, officers spotted an individual who fit the description of the second person. They identified themselves as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, and after a brief discussion, recognized that he was not the subject. ERO deportation officers told the individual that he was free to go. Officers never restrained or placed him into custody.

Shortly thereafter, ERO Newark officers positively identified the second subject. They began a foot pursuit but were blocked by people whose stated goal was to stop the arrest. The subject was able to abscond because of the interference.

“The unfortunate and unacceptable interference from outside actors not only created a dangerous situation for the public and our officers, but also impeded ERO Newark from the performance of our duties,” said ERO Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris. “Our officers are to be commended for maintaining their professionalism throughout this ordeal as well as for arresting a violent noncitizen offender. ERO Newark will continue to prioritize public safety by apprehending egregious noncitizen criminals and removing them from our New Jersey communities.”

The second subject for arrest is a 27-year-old unlawfully present ​Guatemalan national who was arrested for assault by automobile and convicted of DUI in Lawrence Township in 2023.

ERO uses targeted, intelligence driven leads to prioritize enforcement actions against the most egregious noncitizen criminals who pose the greatest threat to national security, public safety and border security. ERO officers evaluate individuals on a case-by-case basis, assessing the totality of the facts and circumstances to make informed arrest determinations. Those cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution can be presented to the U.S. attorney’s office. ERO also coordinates with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to evaluate the completion of relevant noncitizen applications.

Obstructing or otherwise interfering with an ERO enforcement action is a crime and places all parties in jeopardy. Anyone obstructing an ERO operation may be subject to prosecution under federal law.

As one of ICE’s three operational directorates, ERO is the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO’s mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency’s detained and non-detained populations, and repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO's workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.