Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials announced on Thursday that they have apprehended 216 noncitizens who were facing criminal charges and convictions. This operation, which took place nationwide, comes in response to the recent tragic killing of a college student in Georgia. The agency also highlighted the role of “sanctuary cities” in this context.
ICE officials announced at a news conference that they carried out a nationwide operation targeting immigration offenders who were still at large. This operation spanned over 12 days and involved agents from various locations across the country.
According to officials, the operation was conducted as part of ICE’s mission to target individuals who are in the country illegally and pose a risk to public safety.
ICE alleges that all 216 arrested migrants have connections to drug crimes, and nearly half of them had been deported before.
Acting ICE Director Patrick J. Lechleitner emphasized the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the American public by apprehending and eliminating individuals involved in the devastating drug crisis.
The operation also showcased the contrasting objectives of federal and local law enforcement agencies. While ICE, a federal agency, is entrusted with upholding the country’s immigration laws, local law enforcement agencies do not bear this responsibility.
According to ICE officials, local authorities have previously released convicted criminals who are migrants, even though they were eligible for deportation. This was highlighted in the recent operation.
Lechleitner acknowledged that in certain regions, there are laws that hinder the collaboration between state and local law enforcement agencies and ICE. He emphasized their efforts to make advancements in areas that may not be as receptive to ICE cooperation.
Migrant and civil liberties’ advocates express concerns about the abuse of federal deportation and enforcement policies, leading to the establishment of certain municipalities known as “sanctuary cities.” These cities limit communication between local law enforcement and ICE.
Last month, there was a significant development when Venezuelan national Jose Antonio Ibarra was taken into custody on murder charges. He is accused of killing 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley at the University of Georgia. It is important to note that Ibarra has not yet entered a plea in response to these charges.
Ibarra illegally entered the U.S. and had previously been arrested on suspicion of an unrelated crime. However, he was released before ICE could take action to deport him, according to ICE.
During a press conference on Thursday, Lechleitner expressed his inability to comment on specific jurisdictions that participate in the sanctuary city policy. He emphasized the desire to engage in dialogue with these jurisdictions and find ways to collaborate with law enforcement agencies for effective cooperation.
In their most recent investigation related to the March operation, officials have discovered over 400 noncitizens who could be arrested.
