ICE officers made 60 arrests during a five-day public safety operation in New Jersey.
The operation focused on individuals illegally present in the U.S. that had been convicted of serious criminal activity.
Of those arrested, 80 percent were convicted criminals, more than 20 had been issued a final order of removal and failed to depart the United States, or had been previously removed from the United States and returned illegally. Several had prior felony convictions for serious or violent offenses, such as aggravated assault, child abuse, child sex crimes and assault, or had past convictions for significant or multiple misdemeanors.
“The success of this operation is a direct result of the full commitment of the dedicated men and women of ICE,” said John Tsoukaris, field office director for ERO Newark. “We will continue to devote the full efforts of our agency to protecting citizens and enforcing federal immigration law despite challenges being pursued by politically motivated individuals.”
Some of the individuals arrested during this operation may face federal criminal prosecution for illegal re-entry after deportation. The arrestees who are not being federally prosecuted will be processed administratively for removal from the United States. Those who have outstanding orders of deportation, or who returned to the United States illegally after being deported, are subject to immediate removal from the country. The remaining individuals are in ICE custody awaiting a hearing before an immigration judge.
