US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have arrested 16 people, in an operation that lasted four days. The 16 individuals were arrested for violating federal immigration law, a news release states. Nine of the 16 had criminal convictions.
The sweep saw the arrest of 14 men and two women, according to authorities. All but one of the immigrants was from Mexico, the sole exception being a Congolese man. Two of those arrested had re-entered the US illegally following a previous deportation, a felony that can be punishable by a federal prison sentence of up to 20 years. The majority of the arrests took place in Berrien, St Joseph, Van Buren and Kalamazoo counties.
The immigrants not set for federal prosecution will instead be processed for deportation from the US, authorities say. Any immigrants with outstanding removal orders, or who have illegally returned to the country following a previous deportation, can be removed from the country without delay. The remaining immigrants will stay in ICE custody until they can attend a hearing in front of an immigration judge, or until future removal travel arrangements can be made.
A statement from ICE reiterated that its focus is on immigrants who threaten public safety, border security and national security but that no category or class of removable immigrants are exempt from potential enforcement actions, with anyone who violates immigration law eligible for arrest, detention and possible deportation. However, ICE also noted that it does not conduct random or indiscriminate raids.