SAN ANTONIO – Federal officers arrested 62 people in San Antonio area in raids that targeted foreign nationals with prior criminal convictions.

The operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement resulted in 153 arrests in South Texas over a 12-day period that began March 20 and ended March 31, according to a news release.

In addition to San Antonio, arrests were made in the Austin-Waco (24), Laredo (29) and Harlingen (38) areas.

The immigrants arrested were in the country illegally and were wanted for convictions on charges that included aggravated assault with a weapon, aggravated sexual assault of a child, domestic violence, drug possession, prostitution and driving under the influence.

Those arrested were from Mexico (140), Honduras (seven), Guatemala (three), Canada (two) and El Salvador (one) were apprehended, officials said. Of those arrested, 138 were men and 15 were women.

"ICE's primary immigration enforcement efforts target convicted criminal aliens," said Daniel Bible, field office director for ERO in San Antonio. "Consequently, our operations improve overall public safety by removing these criminals from our streets and ultimately from our country."

Among the arrests in San Antonio included a 20-year old man from Guatemala who was apprehended March 23. He was convicted of injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury. He remains in ICE custody pending a hearing before an immigration judge, officials said.

A 46-year old man from Mexico who was arrested March 31 was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child, two DUIs and assault. He is in ICE custody pending removal proceedings, officials said.

Of the 153 arrested, 33 were presented to the U.S. Attorney's Office to face criminal prosecution on charges of re-entry after deportation, officials said.

The others arrested are being processed for deportation.

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