ICE targeted enforcement action nets 57 arrests over 5-day period in VA, DC

WASHINGTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) deportation officers arrested 57 individuals during a 5-day targeted enforcement action across Virginia and Washington, D.C. that ended Sept. 25, targeting criminal aliens and other immigration violators.

Of the 57 aliens arrested by ERO deportation officers during this enforcement action, 41 had prior criminal histories that included arrests, pending charges or convictions for crimes including: sexual assault – carnal abuse, aggravated assault, possession of cocaine, larceny, forgery, driving under the influence, illegal entry and illegal re-entry.

“We focus our resources on those who pose a threat to public safety. The arrests made during this targeted enforcement action required weeks of preparation and research by our officers,” said Lyle Boelens, acting field office director for ERO Washington, D.C., which covers both Virginia and the District. “This is the kind of work our officers do every day to help make our communities safer.”

The arrestees, 53 males and four females, included nationals from seven countries: Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador, Argentina, Bolivia and Kazakhstan.

Nationally, approximately 90 percent of all people arrested by ICE during fiscal year 2019 either had a criminal conviction, a pending criminal charge, had illegally re-entered the United States after being previously removed (a felony charge) or were an immigration fugitive subject to a judge’s final order of removal.

ICE focuses its 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 the immigration laws may be subject to immigration arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States. ICE does not conduct sweeps.