ICE arrests 81 during 4-day operation targeting criminal aliens, immigration fugitives in New England

BOSTON — As part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) ongoing efforts to focus agency resources on the removal of criminal aliens and egregious immigration law violators, 81 convicted criminal aliens, immigration fugitives and other immigration violators were arrested during a four-day operation in New England.

This operation concluded Sept. 17, and was conducted by ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston Field Office.

Of the 81 arrested, all individuals were either previously removed, ordered removed and failed to comply, or had prior convictions for crimes including: possession of a firearm, assault, assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering, distribution of heroin, distribution of cocaine, distribution of marijuana, possession to distribute Class A drugs, possession of cocaine, possession marijuana, larceny, enticing a minor, restraining order violations, domestic assault and battery, identity fraud, resisting arrest and robbery.

Following are summaries of two individuals arrested during this operation:

• On Sept. 15, ERO Boston Fugitive Operations Team members located and arrested a citizen and national of Dominican Republic, who had been convicted of two counts of possession of a firearm, assault and battery, threatening, assault, receiving stolen property, and disorderly conduct in Massachusetts. The man was ordered removed in 2010, but failed to depart. He is currently being held in ICE custody pending removal.
• On Sept. 17, ERO Boston Fugitive Operations Team members located and arrested a citizen and national of Nigeria, who had been convicted of enticing a minor in Connecticut. The man had originally entered the United States in 2002 as a non-immigrant visitor and never departed. He is currently being held in ICE custody.

"The arrest and removal of criminal aliens has a direct and tangible impact on public safety in communities in New England," said Sean Gallagher, field office director for ERO Boston, which covers New England. "Our continued focus on targeting criminal aliens and egregious immigration violators also ensures the very best use of limited agency resources."

In fiscal year 2013, ICE conducted 368,644 removals nationwide. Eighty-two percent of individuals removed from the interior of the United States had previously been convicted of a criminal offense. Ninety eight percent of all removals met one or more of the agency's civil immigration enforcement priorities.

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 criminal aliens who have been previously deported and illegally re-entered the country.