Authorities from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations arrested 19 people in Massachusetts communities over several days after targeting undocumented immigrants who have been charged or convicted of drug crimes.

According to a news release from ICE, many of the people arrested in the sting were released from local law enforcement custody without notifying federal immigration agents.

The news release lists the circumstances surrounding some of the arrests, but ICE did not release the names of those arrested.

The people arrested in the sting come from seven different countries: the Bahamas, Brazil, Cape Verde, Dominican Republic, France, Haiti and Guatemala.

“ERO deportation officers are committed to enforcing immigration laws fairly and professionally, while protecting the neighborhoods of the Commonwealth,” said Deputy Field Office Director Todd Lyons of ICE ERO Boston. “This operation clearly shows that ICE’s enforcement efforts continue to target criminal aliens with serious drug offenses who clearly represent a threat to public safety.”

ICE gave a rundown of several arrests, but did not identify the suspects.

Nov. 3: ICE arrested a Cape Verde national in Brockton who has multiple prior convictions for crack cocaine, breaking and entering, possession of cocaine and heroin and vandalism of prison property. He was released from state custody on or about in March, though an ICE detainer was on file with local authorities. He will remain in ICE custody pending his immigration court hearing.

Nov. 4: ICE arrested a Brazilian national in Weymouth. She has pending assault charges, including assault with intent to murder. She will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

Nov. 4: ICE arrested a fugitive from Cape Verde in Brockton. He has a conviction for cocaine distribution and was ordered removed from the United States in 2011 but failed to leave. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal.

Nov. 4: ICE arrested a Dominican national in Lowell. He has pending charges for trafficking cocaine and false identity. He was removed from the country in 2018 and illegally re-entered, the agency said. He has been charged in federal court with reentry after deportation and is currently in federal custody.

Nov. 4: ICE arrested a Cape Verde national in Brockton. He has convictions for possession of cocaine and oxycodone with intent to distribute and convictions for firearms. He will remain in ICE custody pending his immigration proceedings.

ICE came under fire in Massachusetts for arresting undocumented immigrants at courthouses.

Officials at ICE appealed a federal judge’s decision to temporarily block the arrest of undocumented immigrants who show up to court in Massachusetts. A coalition of attorneys, public defenders and public safety officials, led by Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, claimed that the immigration arrests were deterring people from attending court hearings and cooperating with local law enforcement.

In the news release, ICE explained the use of detainers against people who have been arrested on criminal charges. Detainers are used after ICE believes it has probable cause to remove a person from the country.

“The detainer asks the other law enforcement agency to notify ICE in advance of release and to maintain custody of the alien for a brief period of time so that ICE can take custody of that person in a safe and secure setting upon release from that agency’s custody,” the agency said. “When law enforcement agencies fail to honor immigration detainers and release serious criminal offenders onto the streets, it undermines ICE’s ability to protect public safety and carry out its mission.”

The agency further said Congress has not established any requirement directing ICE to seek a judicial warrant from federal courts before taking custody of an “alien on civil immigration violations."

“This idea is simply a figment created by those who wish to undermine immigration enforcement and excuse the ill-conceived practices of sanctuary jurisdictions that put politics before public safety,” ICE wrote.

Federal prosecutors filed charges against Newton District Court Judge Shelley Joseph after they accused her of helping an undocumented man in her courtroom evade federal immigration agents.

In the press release, ICE took a shot at sanctuary communities saying those communities put the public at risk and force ICE agents to make arrests on the street.

“Local jurisdictions that choose to not cooperate with ICE are likely to see an increase in ICE enforcement activity, as the agency has no choice but to conduct more at-large arrest operations,” ICE said.