NEW YORK – An Ecuadorian citizen convicted of rape is among the 114 foreign nationals arrested during a recently concluded 11-day operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) deportation officers in New York targeting at-large criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants, and immigration fugitives.

Of those arrested during the enforcement action which ended Saturday, 82 had criminal histories, including prior convictions for sex crimes, drug offenses, and fraud. 15 have pending criminal charges including assault, larceny and sexual exploitation of a minor. 37 individuals have final orders of removal. Nine of those arrested were released from local custody on an active detainer.

One has a pending dangerous drug charge and a final order of removal. Others taken into custody during the operation included:

A Jamaican national arrested in Queens, NY with a prior conviction of forcible touching, robbery in the 1st degree, and act in manner to injure a child less than 17

A Mexican national arrested in New York, NY whose criminal record includes manslaughter in the 1st degree

Criminal Convictions*

Assault 8 Burglary 1 Driving under the influence 17 Drug Trafficking 10 Drug Possession 5 Endangering the Welfare of a Child 2 Failure to Appear 1 False imprisonment 1 Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine 1 Crime of Violence with Firearm 1 Forgery 3 Fraud 7 Harassment Physical Contact 1 Kidnap 1 Larceny 1 Manslaughter 1 Marijuana Sell 1 Money Laundering 1 Possess Firearm 3 Prostitution 1 Rape 1 Resisting officer 1 Robbery Strong Arm 4 Robbery Weapon 1 Sex Assault 3 Sexual exploitation of minor 1 Shoplifting 1 Tax revenue 1 Trespassing 1 Unauthorized use of a vehicle 1

*Note: criminal aliens with multiple prior convictions are categorized based on their most serious conviction.

The information provided by the local field office are statistics for this specific targeted enforcement operation. These statistics may not reflect official national statistics.

The operation, conducted by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), targeted criminal aliens who pose a public safety threat and individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including those who re-entered the country after being deported and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.

“Our nation has a proud history of immigration, but we are also a nation governed by laws specifically designed to protect its citizens and residents. ERO deportation officers are committed to enforcing the immigration laws set forth by our legislators,” said Thomas Decker, field office director for ERO New York. “Of those arrested during this operation, nine were released from New York custody with an active detainer, which poses an increased risk to the officers and the community. Regardless of politics, ICE will be diligent in its responsibility to find those who come to the United States to prey upon our communities and ultimately return them to their home countries.”

Eleven (11) of the individuals arrested during the 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 removal, or who returned to the United States illegally after being deported, are subject to immediate removal from the country.

The arrestees (104 men and 10 women) included nationals from 35 countries – Afghanistan (1); Algeria (1); Bangladesh (2); Barbados (1); China (3); Colombia (3); Costa Rica (1); Dominican Republic (15); Ecuador (16); Egypt (1); El Salvador (6); Gambia (1); Georgia (1); Grenada (1); Guatemala (5); Guinea (1); Haiti (5); Honduras (4); India (1); Indonesia (1); Israel (1); Ivory Coast (1); Jamaica (8); Jordan (1); Mexico (21); Montenegro (1); Niger (1); Pakistan (1); Poland (1); Romania (1); Spain (1); South Korea (1); Trinidad (3); Turkey (1); United Kingdom (1).

Queens and Manhattan accounted for the largest number of arrests during the operation, but ERO personnel conducted enforcement actions in a total of 12 communities.

County Arrest Totals

Queens 32 Suffolk 1 Bronx 11 Westchester 6 Brooklyn 15 Nassau 1 Dutchess 2 Hudson 1 Rockland 3 Manhattan 36 Richmond 5 Orange 1

ICE deportation officers carry out targeted enforcement operations 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.

During such enforcement operations ICE officers frequently encounter additional suspects who may be in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws. Those persons will be evaluated on a case by case basis and, when appropriate, arrested by ICE.