The United States Border Patrol announced the completion of a 10-day targeted enforcement operation in Maine. This effort resulted in the apprehension of 39 individuals identified as illegal aliens from various countries, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and China. Arrests took place in several Maine towns, such as Oquossoc, Mechanic Falls, Madawaska, Dresden, Palmira, Rangeley, Madison, Augusta, and Houlton.
Those detained are facing charges under multiple sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The allegations include 25 charges under INA §1182, 27 charges under INA §212, six charges under INA §237(a)(1)(B), and five charges under INA §1227. Several individuals possess documented criminal histories, citing offenses like assault, weapon possession, and theft. Additionally, one individual is being prosecuted under 8 U.S.C. §1326 for reentry after deportation, a charge with significant criminal penalties. All remain in custody pending legal proceedings.
Operations were carried out in multiple communities, guided by detailed intelligence reporting to locate and detain criminal aliens. This year, Border Patrol Agents in Maine have apprehended a greater number of illegal aliens compared to all of the previous year.
“The United States Border Patrol will continue ongoing operations to target criminal aliens for arrest, prosecution, and removal proceedings as appropriate,” stated Houlton Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Craig Shepley. “All of these efforts are for the safety and security for the State of Maine and the U.S. as a whole.”
The primary goal of the United States Border Patrol is the security and integrity of national borders. The agency pledges to use all available means to achieve this goal. They emphasize that individuals found in the U.S. illegally or participating in smuggling operations will face consequences.
For those in the U.S. without legal status, self-deportation through CBP Home is proposed as a means to preserve future immigration options. Information on this process is available through the CBP Home App at https://go.dhs.gov/wqB.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operates as the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The workforce of over 65,000 members aims to protect America across different fronts by facilitating lawful travel and trade, enhancing national security through innovation and trust.
