ICE New Mexico officers arrest 48 illegal aliens, 20 of whom have criminal charges or convictions

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in conjunction with other federal agencies, arrested 48 illegal aliens who either remained in the country despite being ordered removed by an immigration judge or were charged or convicted of serious crimes while they were illegally present in the United States. The arrests occurred during a week-long enhanced enforcement operation ending March 8 in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Roswell, New Mexico where ICE was joined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshal Service.

Of those apprehended, 20 have been arrested or convicted of serious criminal offenses, such as homicide, criminal sexual penetration, sexual assault, battery on a household member, aggravated battery, drug trafficking, burglary-forced entry, driving under the influence, and shoplifting. Others were arrested for immigration violations such as illegal entry and illegal re-entry after deportation. Twenty-one of the illegal aliens taken into custody have final orders of removal.

“ICE is grateful for our federal partners’ assistance in taking egregious offenders off the streets and out of our communities,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations El Paso Field Office Director Mary De Anda-Ybarra. “These arrests exemplify the type of criminals living among us and highlight ICE’s commitment to our agency’s primary mission – protect public safety.”

ICE routine enforcement actions are ongoing throughout the El Paso area of responsibility, which includes West Texas and the state of New Mexico.