Immigration officials arrested 235 criminal aliens across four western states in a multi-day enforcement sweep that took place last week, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The enforcement action targeted immigrants convicted of serious offenses and living in communities across Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Montana. According to ICE many of the foreign nationals apprehended had been convicted of child sex crimes and assault.
Most of the arrests took place in Utah, where ICE officials apprehended 111 potentially deportable criminals. Nevada yielded 89 arrests, Idaho had 34 and one foreign national was arrested in Montana.
The vast majority if foreign nationals arrested Utah were from Mexico (95), however seven other countries nationals were represented in the arrests, including Guatemala (4); Honduras (4); El Salvador (2); Peru (2); Samoa (2); Brazil (1); and Tonga (1).
The individuals arrested in the six-day sweep are expected to be processed for removal from the U.S. Those who already have removal orders are subject to immediate deportation, according to ICE, and those without final orders will stay in ICE custody while they await deportation hearings.
“ICE’s immigration enforcement efforts are focused on apprehending and removing convicted criminals and individuals who pose a threat to public safety,” Daniel Bible, the director of Enforcement and Removal Operations in Salt Lake City, said in a statement. “Owing to the tireless efforts and teamwork of ICE officers – aided by our federal, state and local partners – there are 111 fewer criminals on the streets of our communities in Utah.”
ICE released the details of six of the aliens arrested in Utah and the crimes they committed in the U.S.
A 31-year-old man from Mexico was arrested by ERO officers in West Valley City, Utah, Oct. 24. He had been convicted for attempted unlawful sexual conduct, a felony, for which he was sentenced to three years’ probation. He remains in ICE custody and pending immigration removal proceedings.
A 58-year-old man from Guatemala was arrested in Salt Lake City Oct. 24. He had been convicted of assault-committed with unlawful force to cause bodily injury, a class B misdemeanor, for which he was sentenced to 180 days in jail. He was also convicted for sexual battery, a class A misdemeanor and was sentenced 345 days in jail. He remains in ICE custody and pending immigration removal proceedings.
A 52-year-old man from Mexico was arrested by ERO officers in Springville, Utah, Oct. 25. He had been convicted of continuous sexual abuse, a felony, and was sentenced to a term of 365 days in jail. He was also convicted of illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien. He remains in ICE custody pending his removal.
A 32-year-old man from Mexico was arrested by ERO officers in Ogden, Utah, Oct. 27. He had been convicted of attempted unlawful sex activity with a minor, a class A misdemeanor, and sentenced to 365 days in jail. He is a registered sex offender. He remains in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.
A 52-year-old man from Samoa was arrested by ERO officers in Salt Lake City Oct. 27. He had been convicted of sexual abusing a child, a second-degree felony, and was sentenced to 1 to 15 years in the Utah State Prison. He is a registered sex offender. He remains in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.
A 32-year-old man from Mexico was arrested by ERO officers in Salt Lake City Oct. 27. He has twice been convicted of sexually exploiting a minor, a second-degree felony, and was sentenced to a term of 1 to 15 years in the Utah State Prison. He is a registered sex offender. He remains in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.