|
|
|
| |
| ICE arrests some 1,150 illegal aliens |
By Jun Medina
Federal immigration authorities arrested more than 1,150 people in the largest collective sweep by specialized enforcement teams in California, according to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
ICE spokesperson Virginia Kice said enforcement operations targeted those who ignored final orders of deportation or returned to the United States illegally after being deported.
Kice said the raids, which ended Saturday (Sept. 30), led to the arrest of 301 persons in San Diego area, 420 in the Los Angeles area, and 436 in the San Francisco area.
She said that of the 1,157 illegal immigrants arrested statewide, 595 had outstanding deportation orders and 346 had prior criminal convictions. Those arrested come from 34 countries.
The squads responsible for the arrests, known as fugitive operations teams, were developed in 2003 to focus on apprehending foreign nationals who have ignored final orders of deportation or have returned to the US illegally, Kice said.
The deployment of more such teams and the improved ability to track leads in these cases, have resulted in the record number of arrests involving immigration fugitives, said Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Julie L. Myers, who oversees ICE.
"Individuals who defy immigration court orders to leave the country need to understand there are consequences for willfully disregarding the law," Myers said. "ICE is committed to enforcing these outstanding deportation orders and strengthening the integrity of our nation's immigration system."
Among those arrested was Francisco Javier Esquivel-Tristan, a 72-year-old legal resident who was taken into ICE custody outside his residence last week. As part of a coordinated effort with local police, Esquivel-Tristan was turned over to officers with the San Diego Police Department's sex crimes and child abuse unit.
Esquivel-Tristan has been charged by the San Diego Police Department with 52 counts of lewd acts involving a child under 14, ICE said, adding that he was booked into the San Diego County Central jail where he is being held on $2.7 million bond.
Following his release by local authorities, Esquivel will be returned to ICE custody and placed in removal proceedings based upon his criminal record.
In addition to the local fugitive operations teams, ICE officers from the agency's teams in San Francisco and Los Angeles were temporarily deployed to the area to assist with the enforcement operation.
|
|
|
|