Officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested 225 individuals in New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley during a recent six-day enforcement action.
ICE’s ERO arrested the 225 individuals for allegedly violating U.S. immigration laws. Of those arrested, ICE said, approximately 180 were convicted criminals or had criminal charges pending and more than 80 had been issued a final order of removal and did not depart the United States or had previously been removed from the United States and returned illegally.
“ICE continues to face significant obstacles with policies created by local officials which hinder cooperation between ICE and local law enforcement,” Thomas R. Decker, field office director for ERO New York, said. “Yet, with the tireless efforts of the men and women of ICE, this operation was a great success.”
Some of the individuals arrested during the operation will face federal criminal prosecutions for illegal entry and illegal re-entry after deportation. Those who are not being federally prosecuted will be processed administratively for removal from the United States. Those who have outstanding deportation orders or who returned to the United States illegally after being deported are subject to immediate removal. The rest of the individuals are in ICE custody awaiting a hearing before an immigration judge or travel arrangements for removal in the near future.