NEW YORK – Officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New York arrested 12 foreign fugitives during a 5-day period, ending Dec. 5, in New York City and Westchester County.

During the enforcement effort, ERO deportation officers arrested 12 individuals for violating U.S. immigration laws. All of those arrested during this operation are considered Fugitive Alien Removal (FAR) cases or "foreign fugitives," wanted for committing serious crimes abroad.

"With this operation, we were able to arrest a dozen criminal aliens, persons who fled their home countries to seek sanctuary in New York," said Thomas R. Decker, field office director for ERO New York. "Our country should not be a place where foreign criminals from others nations seek a safe haven from prosecution. Although politicians, choosing to push their own agenda over the safety of their constituents, have created local policies which welcome these criminals to seek refuge in this sanctuary city, ICE remains focused on arresting those wanted to face criminal prosecution abroad."

Arrests include:

In Brooklyn, a 35 year-old Russian national, wanted by Russian law enforcement authorities for manslaughter charges;

In Ridgewood, a 42 year-old Japanese national wanted by Japanese law enforcement authorities for a charge of robbery: causing bodily injury;

In Staten Island, a 52 year-old Mexican national wanted by Mexican law enforcement authorities for murder;

In Flushing, a 46 year-old Chinese national wanted for fraud, totaling more than 19 million Chinese yuan (approximately more than $2.6 million USD);

In the Bronx, a 27 year-old Kazakhstani national released from New York City custody with an active detainer, who is wanted by Kazakhstani law enforcement authorities to serve a five year sentence, after being convicted of robbery;

In Brooklyn, a 43 year-old Russian national wanted by Russian law enforcement authorities for embezzling government funds, totaling more than 76 million rubles (approximately more than $1 million USD);

In Flushing, a 35 year-old Colombian national wanted by law enforcement authorities in Spain for drug trafficking and money laundering charges;

In Manhattan, a 47 year-old Argentinian national wanted by Argentinian law enforcement authorities for charges of causing serious and minor injuries in which the victim was left permanently confined to a wheelchair;

In Forest Hills, a 35 year-old Russian national wanted by Russian law enforcement authorities for large scale misappropriation by fraud;

In Brooklyn, a 37 year-old Russian national wanted by Russian law enforcement authorities on fraud charges;

The arrestees include nationals from the Argentina, Chile, China, Colombia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, and Russia. ERO deportation officers made arrests in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Flushing, Forest Hills, Manhattan, New Rochelle, Ridgewood, and Staten Island. All of those arrested are currently detained in ICE custody awaiting a hearing before an immigration judge.

ICE focuses its enforcement resources on individuals who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security. ICE deportation officers carry out targeted enforcement actions every day in locations around the country as part of the agency's ongoing efforts to protect the nation, uphold public safety, and protect the integrity of our immigration laws and border controls. These operations involve existing, established Fugitive Operations Teams.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 1,700 foreign fugitives from the United States who were sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the toll-free ICE tip line at 1-866-347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. The public can also file a tip online by completing ICE's online tip form.