ERO Seattle arrests 3 as part of nationwide operation
Authorities arrested 220 noncitizens nationally
SEATTLE — Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Seattle office apprehended three removable noncitizens identified as having been convicted of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or driving under the influence, who had been released from incarceration on parole or placed on probation into communities under supervision during a nationwide enforcement effort from March 4 through March 13.
“ERO Seattle was proud to participate in this operation to remove violent offenders who were hiding in our communities,” said ERO Field Office Director Drew Bostock. “Our officers enforce U.S. immigration laws humanely, effectively and with the utmost professionalism.”
Those arrested include:
- A 40-year-old citizen of Mexico in Yakima convicted in December 2021 by the Yakima Municipal Court of domestic violence assault who was subsequently released on probation.
- A 38-year-old citizen of Guatemala in Hillsboro, Oregon, convicted by the Washington County Court of misdemeanor sex abuse.
ICE targets and arrests 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 discretion inherent as law enforcement officials to focus enforcement resources on people who threaten the homeland. The effort includes noncitizens with a final order of removal. Cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution may be presented to the appropriate U.S. attorney’s office.
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 crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form. Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in your community on Twitter @EROSeattle.
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