U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently arrested 36 fugitives during simultaneous nationwide operations called Operation Safe Nation and Operation No Safe Haven III.
ICE said that 17 individuals were sought because they may pose a threat to public safety or national security, including individuals suspected of providing material support to a terrorist organization, while 19 of the individuals were sought for their suspected roles in human rights violations overseas.
“Through the vigorous use of our unique investigative authorities, ICE will continue to ensure that our great nation provides no safe haven for human rights violators and other national security threats,” Sarah R. Saldaña, director of ICE, said. “To those hiding in the shadows: we will find you, arrest you and bring you to justice.”
Those arrested in Operation Safe Nation include a man from East Africa previously under investigation for a suspected association with individuals of national security interest, three individuals from South Asia who were known or suspected to have provided material support to a terrorist organization, and an individual from North Africa who was suspected of having ties to international terrorism.
Persons arrested during Operation No Safe Haven III include three individuals in China who assisted in forced sterilizations and forced abortions upon victim patients, an individual from Eastern Europe who admitted to participating in military attacks upon civilians in which victims were raped and murdered, and a senior military officer from South America implicated in a clandestine death squad.