A targeted enforcement operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Rio Grande Valley area from March 16 to 22 resulted in the arrest of 72 individuals illegally present in the U.S., including a high number of criminal aliens.
ICE, with assistance from federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, carried out the operation to enhance public safety, national security, and border security.
READ: Brazilian Drug Trafficker, Wanted For 12-Year Sentence, Arrested In New Jersey: ICE
Of those arrested, 61 were criminal aliens, and two were documented gang members. The individuals arrested were charged with or convicted of a variety of offenses, including:
- Aggravated felonies or other violent offenses (2)
- Sex offenses or child sex offenses (3)
- Illegal firearms offenses (1)
- Illicit narcotics offenses (8)
- Burglary or theft (4)
- Driving while intoxicated (7)
- Alien smuggling (7)
- Felony 8 USC 1326 (14)
- 8 USC 1325 (13)
- Fraud (1)
- Soliciting prostitution (1)
“The results of this operation are a clear indication of ICE’s commitment regarding the role we play in keeping our communities safe by locating, arresting and ultimately removing at-large criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety, and other immigration fugitives,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Harlingen acting Field Office Director Robert Cerna. “ICE’s leadership has made clear that ICE will no longer exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement. All those in violation of our immigration laws may be subject to immigration arrest, detention and – if found removable by final order – removal from the United States. By effecting these routine enforcement operations, the dedicated men and women of ICE help keep our communities safe.”
ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig S. Larrabee emphasized the collaborative effort and focus on community protection.
“ICE assisted in the arrest of criminal aliens with extensive criminal histories, including offenses such as child sex crimes, drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and other serious violations,” Larrabee said. “Through strong partnerships with federal, state and local law enforcement, ICE remains committed to protecting South Texas communities by targeting criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety. These coordinated efforts ensure dangerous individuals are removed from our neighborhoods, upholding the rule of law, and safeguarding our citizens.”
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