The Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia division of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency reported that they arrested a group of 21 noncitizens, including Caribbean nationals, who had been convicted of serious crimes such as felony rape, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, unlawful firearm possession, drug trafficking or distribution, and driving while under the influence.
ICE announced on Friday that the nationals were released from prison on parole or put on probation and were being monitored while living in various communities as part of a nationwide enforcement operation that took place from March 4 to March 13.
ERO Philadelphia Field Office Director Cammilla Wamsley praised the officers who participated in the operation, saying that they work tirelessly behind the scenes to identify and apprehend noncitizens who break US laws. She thanked them for their hard work, dedication, and vigilance.
According to ICE, among those who were apprehended was a 28-year-old Haitian citizen living in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, who was found guilty of committing a minor, indecent assault on a person under the age of 16 in April 2022.
Moreover, ICE reported that they also detained a 24-year-old Jamaican citizen living in Chester, Pennsylvania, who was found guilty of felony criminal possession of a firearm in March 2022. Additionally, ERO Newark, New Jersey, arrested a 40-year-old citizen of Trinidad and Tobago residing in Teaneck, New Jersey, as per ICE’s statement.
In November 2022, he was found guilty of two felony charges, namely, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and narcotics distribution, by the US District Court in the Southern District of New York, as per the statement by ICE. ERO Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris remarked that the apprehension of these dangerous criminals attests to their commitment to community safety. He also commended the officers’ bravery and professionalism in arresting these individuals, who were singled out based on the severity of their criminal offences.
ICE reported that 27 criminal noncitizens were apprehended during the nationwide operation in New York City, including two Jamaican nationals. The charges against them ranged from felony rape, and sexual abuse to criminal possession of a firearm. One of those arrested was a 26-year-old Jamaican citizen living in Queens, New York, who was convicted by the Kings County Supreme Court in Brooklyn, New York, of first-degree felony sexual abuse in November 2022. ICE stated that the victim was under 13 years of age.
ICE also apprehended another Jamaican citizen, a 27-year-old residing in Brooklyn, as per the immigration agency’s statement. He was found guilty of felony criminal possession of a firearm by the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Kings County, in July 2022. ERO New York City Field Office Director Kenneth Genalo commended the deportation officers for their dedication to enforcing US immigration laws against noncitizens who pose a risk to public safety, including violent criminals and sex offenders.
ICE praised the professionalism and commitment of its officers in carrying out the operation, stating that their tireless efforts to ensure community safety have shielded New York residents from those who intend to cause harm. According to ICE, in the fiscal year 2022, ERO detained 46,396 noncitizens with criminal records. This group had a total of 198,498 charges and convictions associated with it, including 21,531 assault charges, 8,164 sex and sexual assault charges, 5,554 weapons charges, 1,501 homicide-related charges, and 1,114 kidnapping charges.
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