GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A Mexican national arrested in Wyoming, who has a prior conviction for fourth-degree child abuse and two convictions for child neglect, is among the 33 foreign nationals taken into custody during a four-day operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this week in western Michigan, targeting at-large criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants and other immigration violators.

Of those arrested during the operation, which was spearheaded by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), 24, or nearly 80 percent, had prior criminal convictions.

Criminal convictions of those arrested included, but are not limited to DUI, domestic battery, contempt of court, possession of open intoxicants, criminal sexual conduct, child abuse – 4th degree, child neglect, destruction of property, domestic violence, larceny, false identity to law enforcement, and attempted identity theft, among other offenses.

Among those arrested were:

– A 37-year-old Liberian male with a conviction for the offense of criminal sexual conduct, 3rd Degree. He was ordered removed from the United States in 2011, and will remain in ICE custody pending removal of the United States.

– A 22-year-old Mexican female with convictions for operating without a license, two counts of child neglect, and child abuse, 4th degree. She will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of her removal proceedings.

– A 20-year-old Salvadoran male with convictions for destruction of property, larceny, and false identity to law enforcement. He will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.

The just concluded operation targeted public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including individuals who re-entered the country after being removed, other immigration violators, and immigration fugitives ordered deported by federal immigration judges.

“Operations like this one demonstrate ICE’s continued focus on the arrest of dangerous criminal aliens as well as those who enter the United States illegally,” said Rebecca Adducci, field office director for ERO in Detroit. “I’m grateful to serve with the men and women of ICE who selflessly put themselves in harm’s way to protect the communities we live and work in.”

Some of the individuals arrested during this week’s enforcement action will be presented for federal prosecution for re-entry after deportation, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Those not being criminally prosecuted will be processed for removal from the country. Individuals who have outstanding orders of deportation, or who returned to the United States illegally after being deported, are subject to immediate removal from the country.

The arrestees (28 men and five women) included nationals from four countries, Mexico (22), Guatemala (7), El Salvador (3), and Liberia.

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