ICE Arrests 216 Illegal Migrants with Drug Convictions in Nationwide Operation

ICE Operation Leads to Arrest of 216 Illegal Immigrants Involved in Drug Trafficking

In a widespread 12-day operation carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a total of 216 illegal immigrants with convictions for drug trafficking or multiple drug possessions have been apprehended. The operation, which targeted individuals involved in hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other synthetic drugs, was conducted across 30 different foreign locations and covered 25 jurisdictions, including major cities like Boston, Seattle, and Washington D.C.

Deportations and Future Action

Out of the 216 individuals detained, 36 have already been deported, and the remaining are expected to be expelled from the country in the near future, as stated by Acting ICE Director P.J. Lechleitner in a press briefing. Furthermore, nearly 420 non-citizens were identified in the operation, and those who have not yet been apprehended are still sought by ICE for their involvement in drug-related crimes.

Profiles of Arrested Individuals

Among those arrested were a 44-year-old citizen of Mexico who was convicted of money laundering, narcotics conspiracy, and firearms possession in relation to drug trafficking, a 34-year-old Salvadoran citizen convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl, and an Indian citizen in his early thirties convicted of trafficking oxycodone and fentanyl. The severity of the drugs being trafficked was highlighted, with reference to nearly 110,000 drug overdose deaths in FY 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Focus on Immigration Enforcement

Acting ICE Director P.J. Lechleitner stressed the agency's focus on smart and effective immigration enforcement to protect public safety and uphold the integrity of immigration laws. Emphasizing the severity of the drug crisis, Lechleitner reiterated the mission of detaining and removing individuals contributing to the epidemic of drug-related deaths.

Deportation Efforts and Public Safety

Regarding the deportation efforts, Lechleitner highlighted the risks involved in apprehending potentially dangerous non-citizens in communities and the issuance of immigration detainers to local law enforcement to protect the American public. The operation's success was further underscored by ERO Deputy Executive Associate Director Russ Hott, who commended the efforts to promote public safety, eliminate dangerous drugs from communities, and disrupt transnational criminal enterprises involved in drug trafficking.

Statistics from FY 2023

In FY 2023, ERO arrested 73,822 non-citizens with criminal histories, resulting in 290,178 associated charges and convictions, averaging four per individual. The charges and convictions included assaults, sex and sexual assaults, weapons offenses, homicide, and kidnapping offenses, reflecting the scale of criminal activities targeted by ICE.

Overall, the operation reflects ICE's ongoing efforts to address the drug crisis and enforce immigration laws in order to safeguard public safety and national security.