CORRECTION: ICE arrests 45 at-large criminal aliens in DC and Virginia during 5-day operation

WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Washington arrested 45 at-large, criminal aliens, some of whom are also immigration fugitives. These arrests occurred during a five-day law enforcement operation that culminated Feb. 27.

The Criminal Alien Program (CAP) operation was conducted throughout Virginia and the district from Feb. 23 to 27, identifying previously convicted criminal aliens that circumvented identification in local jails and are amenable to removal from the United States. The enforcement effort netted arrests of aliens with prior criminal convictions for larceny, possession of stolen property, driving under the influence of alcohol, burglary and theft.

"ICE is committed to improving the integrity of our nation's immigration system," said M. Yvonne Evans, field office director for ERO Washington. "The United States welcomes law abiding immigrants, but foreign nationals who violate our laws and who commit crimes against those in our communities will not be allowed to stay."

Among the 45 arrested over the five-day operation were:

• A 35-year-old Mexican national, arrested outside his residence in Falls Church, who had previous convictions in Fairfax County for felonious assault and larceny and who was previously removed from the U.S. on two occasions, most recently in 2003.
• A 34-year-old Mexican national, arrested in Roanoke, who has a previous conviction in 2009 from Roanoke City Circuit Court for DUI-third offense and was sentenced to two years imprisonment. He was ordered removed on Dec. 9, 2010, by an immigration judge in Arlington.
• A 40-year-old Jamaican national arrested at his residence in Virginia Beach, who had been convicted in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and carrying a concealed weapon and sentenced to two years imprisonment.

This enforcement action was spearheaded by ICE ERO Washington's enforcement units, responsible for investigating, locating, arresting and removing at-large criminal aliens and immigration fugitives.

ICE is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that targets criminal aliens and threats to public safety and national security, as well as immigration fugitives and those who have been previously removed from the country.