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March 4, 2020Denver, CO, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Utah arrests Laotian man convicted of attempted homicide

SALT LAKE CITY — Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested a Laotian man Feb. 25, who was previously convicted in Utah of attempted homicide.

Jason Somchanmavong, 31, an aggravated felon, is now in ICE custody waiting removal to his home country. He was convicted of attempted homicide and discharging a firearm from a vehicle Feb. 13, 2006.

"Every day our officers make targeted arrests of criminals who are in violation of immigration law," said Ernesto M. Santacruz Jr., acting field office director for ERO Salt Lake City. "I applaud the dedicated men and women of ICE and our partners who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, often in the face of great personal danger."

In addition to Somchanmavong's arrest, ERO officers made more than 110 arrests in Utah, Nevada and Idaho during the last week of February. Recent arrests include:

  • A 36-year-old Mexican national who was convicted of larceny;
  • A 50-year-old Mexican national who was convicted of domestic violence;
  • A 38-year-old El Salvadoran national who was convicted of DUI;
  • A 54-year-old Mexican national who was convicted of cruelty toward a child;
  • A 42-year-old Mexican national who was convicted of prostitution.

ICE officers carry out targeted enforcement actions every day in locations around the country as part of the agency's ongoing efforts to protect the nation, uphold public safety, and protect the integrity of our immigration laws and border controls.

ICE focuses enforcement resources on individuals who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security. However, ICE does not exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement. All of those in violation of immigration laws may be subject to immigration arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States.

Some of the individuals arrested will face federal criminal prosecutions for illegal entry and illegal re-entry after removal. Depending on the alien's criminal history, an alien who illegally reenters the United States, has committed a felony punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. The arrestees who are not being federally prosecuted, are detained in ICE custody, and will be processed administratively for removal from the United States.

ICE remains committed to our public safety mission and we will continue to do our sworn duty to seek out dangerous criminal aliens and other immigration violators. ICE seeks straightforward cooperation with all local law enforcement and elected officials.

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