A total of 70 people, suspected of being undocumented immigrants, were arrested as part of a three-day operation conducted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Dallas area from 1 to 3 June. Of the 70 arrested, 64 are men, with six women also taken into custody.
Three of the suspected undocumented immigrants come from El Salvador, while 62 are from Mexico, and one each from Cuba, South Korea, Zimbabwe, Guatemala, and Sri Lanka. ICE say that others taken into custody during the operation have prior convictions for crimes such as assault and battery using a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, driving while under the influence of alcohol, and possession of a controlled substance.
The operation was targeted at undocumented immigrants who are a threat to US citizens. This is according to Simona L. Flores, the ICE field office director for the Dallas Enforcement and Removals Operation division. In a statement, Flores said that such actions are responsible for promoting public safety in communities, and ensuring that agency resources are brought to bear on the most blatant offenders.
The 70 suspected undocumented immigrants taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the three-day operation will begin with removal proceedings, completion of a prison sentence before deportation, or await arrangements for deportation at a future date, according to ICE. Agency spokeswoman, Nina Pruneda, added that privacy concerns prevented the naming of those arrested.