More than 200 "removable noncitizens" were taken into custody earlier this month by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) agents during a nationwide operation conducted earlier this month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced March 17.
During a nationwide enforcement effort conducted from March 4 to March 13, ERO law enforcers apprehended 220 "removable noncitizens" who have been found guilty of serious crimes, the agency reports in the news release.
"Officials identified the noncitizens as having been convicted of crimes such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, burglary, unlawful possession or use of a firearm, drug distribution or trafficking, or driving under the influence;" ICE states in the news release, "or as those who were released from incarceration on parole or placed on community probation under supervision."
Among those detained are a 64-year-old Mexican citizen in Chicago convicted in March 2022 by the Cook County Circuit Court of felony aggravated criminal sexual abuse with a victim under 13; a 37-year-old Mexican citizen in Los Angeles convicted in December 2011 by the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles of felony attempted murder; a 65-year-old Mexican citizen in Los Angeles convicted in September 1981 by the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles of felony murder in the second degree, felony assault with a deadly weapon, and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, the agency reports.
Other detainees include a 49-year-old Mexican citizen in Los Angeles convicted in August 2012 by the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles of felony battery, felony inflicting corporal injury-spouse, felony oral sex by use of force/injury, and felony rape of spouse by force/fear; a 29-year-old Mexican citizen in Adelanto, Calif., convicted in November 2021 by the Superior Court of California in San Bernardino of felony rape by force/fear; and a 33-year-old Nicaraguan citizen in Miami convicted in January 2009 by the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida of felony burglary/armed, felony firearm possession by a convicted felon in the second degree and felony grand theft in the third degree, according to the report.
“Our officers continue to focus on smart, effective immigration enforcement that protects the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of our communities and integrity of federal immigration law,” ERO Executive Associate Director Corey Price said in the news release.
“Our teams weigh various factors during targeting and apprehension to ensure we are enforcing U.S. immigration laws humanely, effectively, and with the utmost professionalism," Price said.
