U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Newark Field Office arrested 82 priority enforcement targets during an operation Dec. 5-9, as part of the agency’s ongoing public safety efforts.
The operation was supported by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s New Jersey field office, the New Jersey State Parole Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, ICE Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI.
All of the targets in this operation met the highest immigration enforcement priorities as established in DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson’s 2014 memorandum.
“The results of this targeted enforcement operation underscore ICE’s ongoing commitment to public safety,” said John Tsoukaris, field office director of ERO Newark.
“As part of this operation, we specifically focused on the arrest of individuals who are in violation priority one of DHS Civil Immigration Enforcement Priorities. Because of the tireless efforts and teamwork of ERO officers and our law enforcement partners, there are 82 fewer criminals in our neighborhoods,” he added.
“CBP is proud to have participated with ICE, the U. S. Marshal’s Service, FBI, New Jersey State Parole, and all other law enforcement partners, to help apprehend these criminals posing a threat to the United States,” said Mr. Robert E. Perez, Director Field Operations New York.
“We are proud that our parole officers help ensure the public safety in continuing cooperation with other state and federal agencies. We work every day to maintain these long-standing and productive partnerships and we see the results in successful operations like this one” said James T. Plousis, chairman of the NJ State Parole Board.
The individuals arrested throughout New Jersey were nationals of Brazil, Colombia, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, England, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, and Ukraine.
These individuals range from age 18 to 66 and all were previously convicted of a variety of offenses. Some of the convictions included attempted murder, robbery, criminal sexual contact of a child, endangering the welfare of a child, child abuse, aggravated assault, distribution of narcotics, larceny, DUI, possession of a weapon, and domestic violence.
Among those arrested during this operation include:
- A Kenyan citizen convicted of criminal sexual contact against a child and endangering the welfare of a child.
- An Egyptian citizen convicted of aggravated criminal sexual contact against a child and endangering the welfare of a child.
- An Ecuadorian citizen with an Interpol warrant for attempted murder.
- A Dominican citizen convicted of aggravated criminal sexual contact against a child and endangering the welfare of a child.
- A Guyanese citizen convicted of aggravated assault with a weapon.
- A Cuban citizen convicted of robbery, possession of narcotics, and distribution of narcotics.
- A Jamaican citizen convicted of terroristic threats, stalking, possession of a weapon, distribution of narcotics and resisting arrest.
(Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) enforces the nation’s immigration laws in a fair and effective manner. It identifies and apprehends removable aliens, detains these individuals when necessary and removes illegal aliens from the U.S. Courtesy of ICE and YouTube)
In fiscal year 2015, ICE conducted 235,413 removals nationwide. Ninety-one percent of individuals removed from the interior of the United States had previously been convicted of a criminal offense.
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.
ERO Newark works closely with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to enforce federal immigration laws as part of its homeland security mission.
“I congratulate the Newark Field Office of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations for the surge operation conducted December 5-9,” said DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson.
“This operation resulted in the arrest of 82 priority targets for removal, and every arrest was of a convicted criminal who was among our highest priorities for removal, as set forth in my enforcement priorities memorandum issued in November 2014.”
“The 82 individuals arrested include those convicted of murder, robbery, criminal sexual contact with a child, endangering the welfare of a child, child abuse, aggressive assault, narcotics distribution, larceny, possession of a weapon and domestic violence.”
“This operation in New Jersey is the perfect example of our current removal priorities at work: increased focus on convicted criminals and threats to public safety. Throughout my three years as Secretary, I have encouraged ERO to view its mission as one of law enforcement and public safety, and I am pleased that ERO has responded so effectively.”
“I also thank and congratulate CBP’s New Jersey Field Office, the New Jersey State Parole Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, ICE Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI for supporting this surge operation,” concluded Johnson.
