TOP STORY: ICE honors Holocaust Days of Remembrance

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center has set aside April 7-14 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.

"It brings attention to the victims and gives additional purpose and meaning to our job of ensuring that the perpetrators of genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings and war crimes are brought to justice," said Acting Unit Chief Doug Gilmer, 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 1,900 leads and removal cases, and we have more than 150 active investigations," Gilmer said. "The United States has always welcomed those who flee from persecution and oppression, but we will investigate all alleged human rights violators who try and seek haven here."

Since fiscal year 2004, ICE has arrested more than 250 individuals for human rights-related violations, obtained deportation orders and removed more than 590 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.