ICE arrests net 16 from Bergen and Passaic counties

Wednesday, September 28, 2011
BY MONSY ALVARADO
STAFF WRITER The Record

Sixteen immigrants living in Bergen and Passaic counties who have been criminally convicted were among 86 arrested in New Jersey during a nationwide sweep by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, authorities announced Wednesday.

John Tsoukaris, field office director of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Newark, said during a press conference that arresting officers and agents focused on nabbing the most serious criminals during the sweep conducted last week. He said the individuals arrested had convictions related to sexual offenses, aggravated assault and distribution of controlled substances.

“All these individuals now are being detained in one of our facilities. Some of them are facing immediate removal as they were already fugitive aliens with final orders of removal, while others will be going through the whole immigration process before the immigration courts,â€