JUST IN: ICE agents arrest 153 in South-Central Texas, including 24 in Austin-Waco area, officials say


  • Alejandro Martinez-Cabrera American-Statesman Staff


2:55 p.m Monday, April 3, 2017 News

U.S. Judge: ICE said Austin raid because of 'sanctuary’ policy
Austin American-Statesman



U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 153 people suspected of being in the country illegally during a recent operation last month, including 24 people by the Austin/Waco field office, immigration officials said Monday.

The 12-day operation lasted from March 20 to 31, ICE officials said. All of the people arrested had previous criminal convictions, they said.

The operation appears to be the second one ICE has carried out in the area this year. In February, ICE agents detained 51 people in the Austin area as part of a nationwide operation.


Those arrested in the March sweep included foreign nationals from five countries: 140 from Mexico, seven from Honduras, three from Guatemala, two from Canada and one from El Salvador.

The operation resulted in arrests by officers in the following San Antonio field office cities: 24 in Austin/Waco, 62 in San Antonio, 29 in Laredo and 38 in Harlingen.

Of those arrested, 138 were men; 15 were women.

Federal officials said 33 people will face criminal prosecution on charges of re-entry after deportation.

Those who have outstanding orders of removal, or who illegally re-entered the U.S. after being deported, are subject to immediate removal, according to immigration officials.

Those remaining in ICE custody are awaiting a hearing before a federal immigration judge or are pending travel arrangements for removal.

Local activists criticized the new operation.


“I think this continues a trend of ICE instilling fear in our community and ... arresting more people in our community,” said Bob Libal, with the Austin-based immigration support network Grassroots Leadership.

ICE officials said they would not comment further on the arrests.

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