Criminal aliens off streets after targeted enforcement by ERO Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers arrested 35 criminal aliens, fugitives and other immigration violators across Pennsylvania during multi-city enforcement operations.

These operations targeted enforcement in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and York areas from the last week in October through the first week in November. It is the latest effort by ERO Philadelphia to prioritize the removal of criminal aliens and egregious immigration violators.

The aliens who were arrested are from the following 11 countries:  Ireland, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Iraq, Tanzania, St. Vincent, Poland, El Salvador, Ecuador and Belarus. Of the 35 taken into custody, 22 had previous convictions including: terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another; assault and battery; larceny; and distribution of cocaine. The other aliens included those who are immigration fugitives, who were previously deported, or those who are in the country without authorization.

The following are case examples of individuals arrested during the operation (in accordance with Department of Homeland Security privacy policies, names are not included):

• A 23-year-old Mexican native was convicted of three counts of distribution of cocaine and was sentenced to five years’ incarceration for each conviction. He was also convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and sentenced to four months incarceration.
• A 37-year-old Iraqi citizen was convicted for terroristic threats with the intent to terrorize another.
• A 34-year-old Guatemalan citizen was convicted of assault and battery; and assault on a family member; and larceny.
• A 41-year-old Mexican citizen was convicted of driving under the influence and a pending criminal mischief and knowingly possessing a false document.

ICE encourages the public to call our ICE tip line (1-866-DHS-2ICE) to anonymously report those who may be illegally in the U.S. and considered a potential threat to public safety.

In fiscal 2014, the Philadelphia Field Operation Teams arrested more than 1,100 individuals and removed nearly 3,800.

ICE is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that targets serious criminal aliens who present the greatest risk to the security of our communities, such as those charged with or convicted of homicide, rape, robbery, kidnapping, major drug offenses and threats to national security. ICE also prioritizes the arrest and removal of those who game the immigration system including immigration fugitives or aliens who have been previously deported and illegally re-entered the country.