Thread: ICE arrests 90 criminal aliens in Texas operation

I.C.E.News Release

December 17, 2012
San Antonio, TX

ICE arrests 90 during Operation Bear III targeting criminal aliens in central and south Texas

SAN ANTONIO – As part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) ongoing commitment to prioritizing the removal of criminal aliens and egregious immigration law violators, 90 convicted criminal aliens, immigration fugitives and immigration violators were arrested last week during Operation Bear III throughout central and south Texas.

This six day operation concluded Thursday and was conducted by ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) teams in the following five Texas cities: Austin, Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio and Waco.

"The results of this targeted enforcement operation underscore ICE's ongoing commitment to protect public safety," said Enrique M. Lucero, field office director for ERO San Antonio. "We focus our resources and efforts on arresting and removing convicted criminal aliens and those who disregard our nation’s immigration system."

The 90 arrested included aliens with criminal convictions such as: aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, indecency with a child, burglary, unlawfully possessing a firearm, aggravated assault, driving while intoxicated and drug possession. Thirteen of those arrested had been previously removed from the country; they are being federally prosecuted for illegally re-entering the United States after having been deported, which is a felony.

Following is the nationality breakdown of the 89 men and one woman arrested: Mexico (83), El Salvador (2), Guatemala (1), Honduras (1), Philippines (1), Portugal (1) and Vietnam (1).

Below are five summaries of those arrested during this six day operation:

• A 37-year-old Vietnamese national and U.S. permanent resident with three prior criminal convictions for burglary was arrested Dec. 9 in Pflugerville, Texas. He remains in ICE custody pending an immigration removal hearing before a federal immigration judge.
• A 50-year-old previously-removed Mexican national with prior criminal convictions for possessing a controlled substance (cocaine). He was arrested Dec. 8, in Brownsville, Texas, and remains in ICE custody pending federal criminal prosecution for illegally re-entering the United States.
• A 33-year-old previously-removed Mexican national is a self-admitted Valluco gang member with prior criminal convictions for robbery and possessing a controlled substance (cocaine). He was arrested Dec. 9 in McAllen, Texas. He remains in ICE custody pending criminal prosecution for illegally re-entering the United States.
• A 55-year-old Mexican national and U.S. permanent resident with prior criminal convictions for indecency with a child (sexual contact) was arrested Dec. 8 in Laredo, Texas. He remains in ICE custody pending an immigration removal hearing before a federal immigration judge.
• A 30-year-old Mexican national and U.S. permanent resident was arrested Dec. 10 in San Antonio. He has prior criminal convictions for assault causing bodily injury to a family member and two convictions for theft. He remains in ICE custody pending an immigration removal hearing before a federal immigration judge.

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.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.

• DHS.gov
• USA.gov

ICE arrests 90 during Operation Bear III targeting criminal aliens in central and south Texas

by JADE MINGUS
kvue.com
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:14 PM
Updated today at 6:22 PM

AUSTIN -- U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made 90 arrests in six days targeting illegal residents with a criminal history.

This is Operation Bear’s third year, where ICE agents made arrests in Austin, Laredo, the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio and Waco.

ICE targeted those with criminal pasts ranging from attempted murder to burglary, prostitution and assault.

The operation wrapped up Thursday. Of the 90 arrested, 83 are from Mexico, two are from El Salvador, and others are from Honduras, Guatemala, the Philippines, Portugal and Vietnam.

“They are generally not using their names. They are using aliases trying to stay under the radar, so they are difficult to identify and locate,” said ICE San Antonio Field Officer Director Enrique Lucero.

Lucero said of the 90 arrested, 13 have been previously deported from the United States and are now being federally prosecuted for re-entering. The others are in immigration proceeding, and the government will decide on a case-by-case basis what happens next.

“ICE hopes we are actually preventing crime from happening,” said Lucero.

Four months ago, ICE launched a fugitive operations team in Austin. Now its six members can quickly respond to tips from the agency’s 24 hour reporting hot-line at (866) 347-2423.

“You can't help but think 'Thank God, they are doing something and these criminals are no longer walking among us,'” said Austin resident Mercedes Garza.

ICE arrests illegal residents with criminal backgrounds | kvue.com Austin

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