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October 28, 2020Washington, DC, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE announces arrests of more than 100 at-large aliens

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced Wednesday the results of a five-day targeted enforcement operation that resulted in the apprehension of more than 100 at-large aliens in communities spanning from the country’s northern to southwest borders.

ICE officers in Minnesota, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, Michigan and Texas, conducted the enforcement actions Oct. 19 through Oct. 23, focusing on aliens subject to removal who pose a threat to public safety. More than 70% of aliens arrested had criminal convictions or pending criminal charges at the time of arrest.

“Every day, ICE officers protect our communities from the cross-border crime and illegal immigration that threaten public safety,” said ICE Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director Tony H. Pham. “These targeted enforcement actions highlight ICE’s vital role in keeping our communities safe.”

Among those ICE arrested during the enforcement actions were:

  • A 31-year-old citizen of Guatemala, Oct. 21, in Canton, Ohio. In August 2010, he was convicted, in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas in Canton, Ohio, of domestic violence. In April 2014, he was convicted, in the New Philadelphia Municipal Court in New Philadelphia, Ohio, of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He is in ICE custody pending removal to Guatemala.
  • A 35-year-old citizen of Mexico, Oct.19, in Wichita, Kansas. In October 2020, the Haysville, Kansas. Police Department arrested him for domestic violence and released him the same day. He is in ICE custody pending removal to Mexico.
  • A 47-year-old citizen of Romania, Oct. 22, in Cambridge, Minnesota. In July 2009, he was convicted, in the Anoka County, Minnesota, District Court of domestic abuse. In October 2016, the Dodge County, Minnesota Sheriff’s Office arrested him for assault-2nd degree-dangerous weapon and terroristic threats-reckless disregard. Following that arrest, ICE issued a detainer with the sheriff’s office, but he was released despite the detainer. In July 2017, he was convicted, in the Anoka County District Court of assault in the second degree. He is in ICE custody pending removal to Romania.
  • A 52-year-old citizen of Mexico, Oct. 22, in Auburn Hills, Michigan. In January 2007, he was convicted in the 50th District Court in Pontiac, Michigan, of domestic assault and battery. He is in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

On Oct. 16, DHS announced the arrest of more than 170 at-large aliens as part of immigration enforcement actions conducted in sanctuary jurisdictions throughout the U.S. from Oct. 3 through Oct. 9.

Last fiscal year, 86% of those arrested by ICE had criminal convictions or pending charges. ICE focuses its resources on those who pose the greatest threat to public safety.

In FY 2019, ICE arrested individuals with more than 1,900 convictions and charges for homicide, 1,800 for kidnapping, 12,000 sex offenses, 5,000 sexual assaults, 45,000 assaults, 67,000 crimes involving drugs, 10,000 weapons offenses, and 74,000 DUIs. ICE continues to target criminal aliens and other public safety and national security threats every day.

ICE does not exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement. All those in violation of immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States. ICE takes many factors into account when targeting and arresting individuals, including their criminal and immigration history.

Every day, ICE officers enforce U.S. immigration laws that enable them to remove dangerous criminal aliens and immigration violators from our communities.

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