ICE nabs undocumented convicted criminals in Arizona

Daniel González, The Republic | azcentral.com2:06 p.m. MST March 9, 2015


(Photo: azcentral)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Nationwide, more than 2,000 undocumented criminals taken into custody.


Federal immigration-enforcement authorities have arrested 33 undocumented immigrants in Arizona as part of a nationwide crackdown on convicted criminals.

A total of 2,059 convicted criminals were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during the 5-day operation conducted last week, according to a statement from the agency.

In Arizona, the 31 men and two women taken into custody were from Mexico, Belize, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Guatemala.They included:
-- A 49-year-old Mexican man convicted of extreme driving under the influence and possession of drug paraphernalia.
-- A 28-year-old Mexican man convicted of aggravated assault and domestic violence.
-- A 46-year-old Mexican man convicted of three counts of aggravated assault upon a person under the age of 15 and one count of assault.
-- A 53-year-old Mexican man convicted of possession with intent to distribute 121.8 kilograms (285 pounds) of Marijuana.

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All of the convicted criminals taken into custody by ICE nationwide met the top two removal priorities outlined in a November memo issued by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson.

Under the memo, the agency's top priority includes apprehending and deporting undocumented immigrants deemed a threat to national security as well as criminal street-gang members, convicted felons and aggravated felons. The second priority is deporting immigrants convicted of three or more misdemeanors or convictions for significant misdemeanors, including DUIs, according to ICE.

The individuals taken into custody as part of the operation are subject to immediate removal from the country, or will face deportation hearings in front of an immigration judge.

"This national operation exemplifies ICE's ongoing commitment to prioritizing convicted criminals and public safety threats for apprehension and removal," ICE Director Sarah Saldana said in a statement. "By taking these individuals off our streets and removing them from the country, we are making our communities safer for everyone."

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/...dana/24662105/