ERO Harlingen arrests 7 criminal noncitizens during nationwide operation
Offenses include driving while intoxicated, illegal reentry, burglary and felony possession of marijuana
HARLINGEN, Texas - Officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Harlingen apprehended seven removable noncitizens during a nationwide enforcement effort between March 4 and March 13.
Officials identified the noncitizens as having been convicted of crimes such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, burglary, unlawful possession or use of a firearm, drug distribution or trafficking, or driving under the influence, or as those who were released from incarceration on parole or placed on community probation under supervision.
“Great work by our officers in identifying and apprehending these individuals who pose a threat to public safety,” said ERO Harlingen acting Field Office Director Miguel Vergara. “ERO will continue to ensure criminals who are in the U.S. illegally are found, arrested and removed remaining committed to enforcing our nation’s immigration laws.”
Those arrested include:
- A 35-year-old citizen of Mexico in Pharr, convicted by the Hidalgo County Court in Edinburg of driving while intoxicated and racing on a highway in October 2016.
- A 56-year-old citizen of Mexico in Laredo, convicted by the Webb County Court, in Laredo of driving while intoxicated in July 2022.
- A 62-year-old citizen of Guatemala, in Mission, convicted in the United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, in Corpus Christi of illegal reentry in February 2019.
- A 24-year-old citizen of Mexico, in Laredo, convicted in the Webb County Court, in Laredo of driving while intoxicated in October 2022.
- A 38-year-old citizen of Mexico, in Laredo, convicted in the 341st District Court in Laredo, of burglary of a habitation in July 2015.
- A 29-year-old citizen of Mexico, in Brownsville, convicted in the 103rd District Court in Brownsville, of felony possession of marijuana in August 2022.
- A 51-year-old citizen of Mexico, in Donna, convicted in the United State District Court, Southern District of Texas, in McAllen of illegal reentry in November 2019.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targets and arrests noncitizens who have committed crimes and other individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws. ICE ERO officers, informed by their experience and training, use their discretion inherent as law enforcement officials to focus enforcement resources on people who threaten the homeland. The effort includes noncitizens with a final order of removal. Cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution may be presented to the appropriate U.S. attorney’s office.
In fiscal year 2022, ERO arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories. This group had 198,498 associated charges and convictions, including 21,531 assault offenses; 8,164 sex and sexual assault offenses; 5,554 weapons offenses; 1,501 homicide-related offenses; and 1,114 kidnapping offenses.
As one of ICE’s three operational directorates, ERO is the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO’s mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency’s detained and non-detained populations, and repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO’s workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings, and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form.
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