114 people were arrested during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in New York. Among those arrested was a citizen of Ecuador, who was both an undocumented immigrant and a convicted rapist, according to a report from ICE, issued on Tuesday.
ICE says that the targeted sweep, which ended on Saturday, was aimed at people who have violated the nation’s immigration laws, including those who have re-entered the US after deportation, as well as fugitives. 82 of the people arrested during the operation were convicted criminals. Their criminal histories included crimes such as drug offenses, fraud, and sex crimes. Others also face charges such as larceny, sexual exploitation of a child, and assault.
Authorities say that, during the 11 days, a citizen of Mexico, with a criminal record including a conviction for first-degree manslaughter, was also taken into custody. A Jamaican citizen with prior convictions, including robbery in the first degree and forcible touching, was also included. Thomas Decker, the field office director for the New York division of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), said that while the US has a proud immigration history, it is also a country of laws intended to protect those living there lawfully.
Decker added that ERO’s deportation officers are intent on enforcing those laws. He said that nine of those arrested during the most recent operation had active detainers placed on them, causing an extra risk to the community and to officers.