ICE arrests 15 in operation targeting sex offenders in Alabama
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) administratively arrested 15 illegal aliens in Alabama, Tuesday through Thursday, including sex offenders, ICE fugitives and other serious at-large criminal aliens. The arrests were conducted as part of Operation SOAR (Sex Offender Alien Removal), an operation targeting at-large criminal aliens that are removable due to their convictions for sexual offenses.
Two of the most egregious offenders arrested during the operation include:
- A 35-year-old Jamaican permanent resident who was convicted on July 1, 2004 in the District Court of Dorchester, Mass., for indecent assault and battery on a minor. He is in ICE custody and is pending removal proceedings.
- A 40-year-old Vietnamese permanent resident who pleaded guilty on Jan. 28, 2005 in the District Court of Cullman County, Ala., to second degree sexual abuse involving a child under 14. He is in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
"ICE will continue using its unique immigration authorities to identify and arrest those who present a threat to our community," said Philip Miller, field office director for ICE ERO in New Orleans.
This enforcement initiative was a part of ongoing operations being conducted in Alabama in efforts to locate criminal aliens living within the community and pose a threat to public safety.
ICE encourages the public to report suspicious criminal activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.
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