ICE honors Holocaust Days of Remembrance

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center has set aside April 27-May 4 to remember the victims of the Holocaust.

The week coincides with the Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust. Congress established the Days of Remembrance as the nation's annual commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust.

"This week is an opportunity to reflect on the victims and to renew our commitment to ensure that the U.S. does not become a safe haven for human rights abusers. Those who perpetrate genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings and other war crimes must be brought to justice," said Unit Chief Mark Furtado of Homeland Security and Investigations, (HSI) Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit.

The Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center investigates human rights violators who try to evade justice by seeking shelter in the United States. Often, these individuals attempt to conceal their past to enter the country. Once here, they try to blend into communities in the United States.

"Currently we're pursuing more than 1,800 leads and removal cases, and we have more than 165 active investigations. ICE is dedicated to identifying and investigating alleged human rights violators hiding in the United States," Furtado said.

Since fiscal year 2004, ICE has arrested more than 290 individuals for human rights-related violations, obtained deportation orders and removed more than 650 known or suspected human rights violators from the United States.

Members of the public who have information about foreign nationals suspected of engaging in human rights abuses or war crimes are urged to call the toll-free ICE tip line at 1-866-347-2423 or to complete its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock and tips may be provided anonymously.