ERO Los Angeles arrests 45 noncitizens for DUI and other criminal convictions

LOS ANGELES — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Los Angeles officers apprehended 45 unlawfully present noncitizens who have been convicted for any felony, or misdemeanor crimes related to the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence for alcohol or drugs during a focused effort July 1 through July 12.

"This effort represents ERO Los Angeles officers' daily contribution to public safety throughout the greater Los Angeles community," said ERO Los Angeles acting Field Office Director Ernesto Santacruz. "The 45 individuals taken off the streets demonstrated a complete disregard for our laws and chose instead to put others at great risk by driving while impaired. This illegal and dangerous behavior will not be tolerated, and ERO Los Angeles will aggressively pursue those who put others at risk."

The convictions included driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs that resulted in property damage, DUI convictions resulting in a hit and run, DUI convictions resulting in property damage and DUI convictions resulting in serious bodily injury or death. This effort also included those with an executable final order of removal.

Those arrested include:

• A 53-year-old citizen of Mexico in Los Angeles with three criminal convictions for driving under the influence. Two of those convictions were by the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles County with an additional conviction by the Superior Court of California, in Ventura County. Additional convictions include burglary in the second degree, felony possession of a firearm, driving without a license and assault with a deadly weapon. This individual was removed to Mexico.
• A 34-year-old citizen of Mexico in Los Angeles with a criminal conviction for driving under the influence by the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles County. Additional convictions include vandalism, disorderly conduct, domestic violence, assault and contempt of court. This individual will remain in ICE custody pending further administrative action.

ICE focuses on the arrest of noncitizens who have committed crimes and other individuals who have violated our nation's immigration laws. ICE officers, informed by their experience and training, use their inherent discretion as law enforcement officials to focus enforcement resources on those who pose a threat to national security, public safety or border security. These efforts include noncitizens with final orders of removal. Cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution may be presented to the appropriate U.S. attorney's office.

In fiscal year 2023 ERO arrested 73,822 noncitizens with criminal histories; this group had 290,178 associated charges and convictions with an average of four per individual. These included 33,209 assaults; 4,390 sex and sexual assaults; 7,520 weapons offenses; 1,713 charges or convictions for homicide; and 1,655 kidnapping offenses.