US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests 44

Glenna Herald
Neighborhood News Service
12:40 p.m. CDT, June 14, 2012

WEST CHICAGO— A sting operation by U.S. agents led to the arrests of 44 "egregious immigration law violators" in the Chicago area.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement say all of the arrested had prior criminal convictions ranging from arson and battery to drugs and weapons possessions charges.

Of the 44 arrested, 23 were fugitives who had failed to leave the country when ordered to by immigration officials, and 11 had feloniously re-entered the country after being deported, according to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement news release.

"ERO is committed to making our communities safer by arresting and removing convicted criminal aliens and immigration fugitives," said Ricardo Wong, Chicago field office director for ICE ERO in Chicago, "By targeting our efforts on these egregious offenders, we are improving public safety while making the best use of our resources."

The five-day investigation and arrest operation took place in Chicago and the western suburbs, including West Chicago, Cicero, Aurora, Elgin, Joliet, Downers Grove and Carpentersville, according to the release.

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