CALIFORNIA, United States, Monday July 25, 2016 – Two Belizeans were arrested in an operation carried out by the United States immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting at-large criminal foreigners. They were among 100 men and 12 women with criminal histories who were taken into custody by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers last week.
The majority – 62 – had prior felony convictions for serious or violent offenses, such as child sex crimes, weapons charges, and assault. The remaining had past convictions for significant or multiple misdemeanors.
While the largest number of those taken into custody during the enforcement action are originally from Mexico (89), a total of 11 countries are represented, including El Salvador (7); Guatemala (5); Belize (2); Honduras (2); Vietnam (2); Egypt (1); Philippines (1); Tonga (1); the United Kingdom (1); and Azerbaijan (1).
“This operation exemplifies ICE’s ongoing commitment to targeting convicted criminals and public safety threats for arrest and removal,” said David Marin, deputy field office director for ERO Los Angeles.“By taking these individuals off our streets and ultimately removing them from the country, we’re making our communities safer for everyone.”
All of the targets in the operation met the US Department of Homeland Security’s two top immigration enforcement priorities. Priority 1 targets include threats to national security, criminal street gang members, convicted felons, and aggravated felons. Priority 2 targets include convictions for three or more misdemeanors or convictions for significant misdemeanors.