NEW YORK — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested 206 illegal aliens during a targeted enforcement campaign focusing on violent offenders in the New York City region from April 6 to 12, the agency announced.
The weeklong operation, which ICE described as “enhanced targeted immigration enforcement,” aimed at apprehending individuals with serious criminal records, particularly those tied to transnational gangs such as MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Sureños and 18th Street.
“New York is much safer today because of the hard work of ICE and our law enforcement partners,” said acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “Our efforts resulted in 206 arrests in just one week.”
ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and partner agencies including the FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York participated in the operation. In addition to the five boroughs, law enforcement targeted Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley.
Authorities said 121 of those apprehended had prior convictions or pending charges for crimes ranging from murder and rape to arson and firearms violations. One arrestee was wanted in a foreign country, and another had a homicide conviction from the Philippines.
Local releases defied federal detainers
ICE emphasized that a number of the individuals arrested had been released by local jurisdictions that refused to honor federal immigration detainers. These detainers are requests to hold individuals in custody for ICE to take into federal custody after local charges are resolved.
“The majority of the aliens arrested have egregious criminal histories to include manslaughter, rape, assault, drug trafficking and sex assault against minors,” said ICE ERO New York City Acting Field Office Director Judith Almodovar. “I am exceptionally grateful for the professionalism and dedication of our ICE New York City officers.”
Authorities did not release all of the names of those arrested but noted that the individuals pose a public safety threat, particularly in communities where gang activity is prevalent.
ICE stated that the enforcement operations focused on “some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods” and sought to remove individuals with known affiliations to violent criminal enterprises.
Key Points
- ICE arrested 206 illegal aliens in NYC-area operation targeting violent offenders and gang members.
- 121 of those arrested had prior convictions or pending charges, including murder and sexual assault.
- Many arrests occurred after local jurisdictions released offenders despite federal detainer requests.