ICE ERO Phoenix nets 67 arrests in latest operations targeting criminal aliens
Targets included individuals with arrests or convictions for assault, domestic violence, other crimes against people
PHOENIX, Ariz. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced today the results of enforcement actions conducted by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers throughout Arizona in recent enforcement actions, targeting removable aliens who have been arrested for, or have pending charges or convictions, for crimes involving victims.
“These targeted arrests of convicted removable aliens represent some solace to those who suffered abuse – they will not be allowed to further victimize those in our communities,” said Corey Price, interim field office director for the Phoenix ERO office. “My officers executed these arrests with precision and professionalism, and I want to thank them for their efforts resulting in a successful targeted enforcement action.”
Data captured from July 13 to Aug. 20 shows that local ERO officers arrested more than 60 at-large individuals living illegally in the U.S., or who are removable from the U.S. due to their criminal convictions. Of the 67 arrested, 54 aliens had criminal convictions. The arrests were carried out by designated ERO Fugitive Operations Teams and Mobile Criminal Arrest Teams.
Many had multiple criminal convictions and pending charges for crimes committed against victims. Those crimes included: molestation of a minor, kidnapping, sexual assault-carnal abuse, sexual offense against a child-fondling among other convictions.
Examples of arrests include:
- Aug. 4, arrested a 41-year-old Guatemalan national convicted in criminal court of multiple charges related to assault, recklessness, domestic violence, and extreme DUI. This alien has spent nearly six-months incarcerated for these crimes. Further, this alien has multiple prior removals and therefore will remain in ICE custody pending removal to Guatemala. This case has been presented for prosecution for a violation of 8 USC 1326, Re-entry of Removed Alien.
- Aug. 5, arrested a 49-year old Mexican national convicted in criminal court of multiple charges related to aggravated assault and leaving the scene of an injury accident, soliciting prostitution, and two convictions of re-entry of a removed alien. Collectively, this individual has served upwards of 118 months in prison for crimes committed. The alien also has multiple prior removals and therefore will remain in ICE custody pending removal to Mexico. This case has been presented for prosecution for a violation of 8 USC 1326, Re-entry of Removed Alien.
- Aug. 6, arrested a 47-year-old citizen of Mexico criminally convicted of aggravated harassment and aggravated assault – deadly weapon/dangerous instrument resulting in 12 months’ incarceration and 3 years’ supervised probation. The alien will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
- Aug. 10, arrested a 46-year-old citizen of Mexico criminally convicted of driving under the influence and sentenced to 10 days’ jail. Further, a federal criminal court convicted the alien of illegal entry resulting in a sentence of 75 days’ incarcerated. This alien will remain in ICE custody pending prosecution and/or removal to Mexico.
- Aug. 10, arrested a 43-year-old citizen of Mexico criminally convicted of sexual abuse by domestic violence, and attempted molestation of a child by domestic violence resulting in 12 months’ incarceration with lifetime probation. This alien will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
- Aug. 12, arrested a 43-year-old citizen of Mexico, criminally convicted of having sex with a minor and sentenced to 4 months’ jail followed by 3 years’ probation. Further, this alien was convicted in criminal court of possession of drug paraphernalia and sentenced to 18 months’ probation. As a prior removed alien, this individual will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
ICE continues to target aliens and other public safety and national security threats every day. ICE does not exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement. All those in violation of immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removed from the United States. ICE takes many factors into account when targeting and arresting individuals, including their criminal immigration history.
Victims of crime committed by individuals with a nexus to immigration are encouraged to contact ICE’s VOICE office if they need assistance. The VOICE office affords victims and their loved ones a single point of contact to obtain information regarding criminal aliens in ICE custody, including the ability to get automated custody status information, releasable case history about the perpetrator, or having an ICE representative explain the immigration enforcement and removal process. The toll-free VOICE Hotline number is 1-855-48-VOICE.
ICE exercises all appropriate prosecutorial discretion when encountering the family members of arrest targets and evaluates each individual situation to determine the appropriate course of action. In according with ICE Directive 10076.1 Prosecutorial Discretion: Certain Victims, Witnesses, and Plaintiffs, ICE should exercise all appropriate prosecutorial discretion to minimize any effect that immigration enforcement may have on the willingness and ability of victims, witnesses, and plaintiffs to call police and pursue justice.
In FY 2019, ICE ERO arrested individuals with more than 1,900 convictions and charges for homicide, 1,800 for kidnapping, 12,000 sex offenses, 5,000 sexual assaults, 45,000 assaults, 67,000 crimes involving drugs, 10,000 weapons offenses, and 74,000 DUIs.
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