US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 36 fugitives, including 17 who may pose a threat to public safety or national security, during a concurrent nationwide operation this week, which ICE described as “the first of its kind.”
Those arrested during Operation Safe Nation and Operation No Safe Haven III include several individuals suspected of supporting terrorist organizations, as well as 19 individuals with known or suspected roles in human rights violations overseas, such as participation in forced sterilizations and abortions and the rape and murder of civilians during military attacks.
Furthermore, four of the individuals are also criminal aliens convicted of crimes in the United States.
“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 othernational security threats,” said ICE Director Sarah R. Saldaña. “To those hiding in the shadows: we will find you, arrest you and bring you to justice.”
ICE Fugitive Operations Teams conducted the investigative enforcement activities for the operation and the ICE National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center provided critical investigative support. In addition, ICE’s collaboration with the US National Central Bureau-Interpol Washington played a key role in the success of the operation.
“Interpol’s investigative tools provide US law enforcement with a suite of databases that provide real-time biometric, travel document, and criminal background information,” according to Interpol Washington Director Geoffrey S. Shank. “These operations exemplify what can be achieved when US and international law enforcement agencies have immediate access to information.”
The FBI, ICE liaison to the National Joint Terrorism Task Force, US Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, US Customs and Border Protection, and the US Marshals Service also provided critical investigative support to the operation.
