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September 1, 2023New York, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ERO New York City arrests 38 criminal noncitizens during nationwide enforcement action

Offenses include burglary, arson, sex abuse and criminal in possession of a firearm

NEW YORK— On Sept. 1, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New York City announced the local results of a nationwide enforcement operation during which officers apprehended 38 removable noncitizens determined to be a threat to national security, public safety or border security between Aug. 4 and 25.

This targeted operation was implemented to address unlawfully present noncitizens with felonies or misdemeanors for domestic violence, sexual abuse or exploitation, burglary, unlawful possession or use of a firearm, drug distribution or trafficking, or driving under the influence, and noncitizens with an executable final order of removal who have unlawfully reentered the United States after having been previously removed.

“This operation highlights the efforts of ERO New York City officers to locate and arrest criminal noncitizens who present a threat to our communities and are amenable to removal from the United States,” said ERO New York City Field Office Director Kenneth Genalo. “We remain committed to eliminating the threats posed by these criminals, many of whom are repeat offenders and have been previously removed from the United States. I am proud of the men and women of ERO New York City whose tireless dedication helps preserve public safety for the citizens and lawful residents of New York.”

Officers prioritized enforcement actions in accordance with the Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law issued by Secretary Mayorkas on Sept. 30, 2021, and reinstituted on June 28. Those noncitizens with active criminal complaints were transferred to the U.S. Marshals Service with an immigration detainer and will return to the custody U.S. Immigration and Enforcement (ICE) at the conclusion of their criminal proceedings. The remaining noncitizens will remain in custody pending repatriation to their home countries.

Those arrested include:

  • A 55-year-old citizen of Guyana in Hollis, convicted by the United States Court in the Eastern District of New York of felony use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire.
  • A 43-year-old citizen of Honduras in New York City convicted by the Circuit Court of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, of felony malicious wounding by mob as well as participation in a criminal street gang (MS-13). This noncitizen has been removed from the United States on two prior occasions.
  • A previously removed 40-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic in New York City convicted by the United States Court in the Southern District of New York of an aggravated felony conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
  • A 37-year-old citizen of Honduras in Levittown, convicted by the Nassau County Court in Mineola, New York, of felony operation of a motor vehicle 0.08 of 1% or more of alcohol with a prior conviction of a designated offense within 10 years as well as felony aggravated operation of a motor vehicle. This noncitizen has been removed from the United States on three prior occasions.
  • A 27-year-old citizen of Ecuador in Garnerville, convicted by the Rockland County Court in New City, New York, of felony burglary-3rd degree: illegal entry with intent to commit a crime.
  • A 51-year-old citizen of El Salvador in Westbury, convicted twice by the Queens County Supreme Court in Kew Gardens, New York. He was first convicted of sexual abuse-2nd degree: sexual contact with a person less than 14 years old and later convicted of felony operation of a motor vehicle 0.08 of 1% or more of alcohol with a prior conviction of a designated offense within 10 years. This noncitizen has been removed from the United States on three prior occasions.
  • A previously removed 43-year-old citizen of Honduras in Yaphank, convicted on three occasions by the Suffolk County First District Court in Central Islip, New York, of driving while intoxicated – first offense, felony operate motor vehicle .08 of 1% or more alcohol with a prior conviction within 10 years, and felony operate motor vehicle .08 of 1% or more alcohol-second prior conviction within 10 years.
  • A 46-year-old citizen of El Salvador in Uniondale, convicted by the United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, of illegal reentry after deportation as a felon; the Nassau County Court in Mineola, New York, of felony assault and again by the Nassau County Court in Mineola, New York, of felony attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance. This noncitizen has been removed from the United States on four prior occasions.
  • A 42-year-old citizen of China in Staten Island, convicted by the Queens County Criminal Court in Kew Gardens, New York, of felony criminal possession of a firearm.

ERO officers carefully evaluated 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 may be presented to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. ERO will also appropriately coordinate with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to evaluate completion of relevant noncitizen application(s). 

Noncitizens placed into removal proceedings receive their legal due process from federal immigration judges in the immigration courts, which are administered by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). EOIR is an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice and is separate from the Department of Homeland Security and ICE. Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case. ICE officers carry out the removal decisions made by the federal immigration judges.

In fiscal year 2022, ERO arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories. This group had 198,498 associated charges and convictions, including 21,531 assault offenses; 8,164 sex and sexual assault offenses; 5,554 weapons offenses; 1,501 homicide-related offenses; and 1,114 kidnapping offenses.

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.

Members of the public can report crime and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ERO New York City’s mission to preserve public safety on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ERONewYork.

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