U.S. Immigration 

and Customs

Enforcement

Julyl 27, 2015

Contact:

Carl.Rusnok@ice.dhs.gov

(214) 905-5292

News Release

Ice arrests 27 convicted criminal aliens in North Texas during 4-day operation

DALLAS-- Twenty-seven convicted criminal aliens were arrested in North Texas during a four-say initiative that ended Sunday which was conducted by local officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Removal Operations (ERO).

This enforcement action, which began July 23, is the latest effort by Ice to prioritize the arrest and removal of convicted criminal aliens. Twenty-six arrests were made in Corsicana; one arrest was made in Dallas. Of the 27 arrested, two fall into ICE's Priority 1 category, which generally including those with three or more misdemeanor convictions (not including traffic convictions), such as sexual abuse or sexual exploitation, burglary, possession or use or firearm, and possessing illegal drugs. 

ICE officers arrested 25 men and two women; one woman was released on her own recognizance shortly after her arrest with it was discovered she was a sole care-giver to a small child. All those arrested were from Mexico. All those arrested will be held locally in ICE custody as they are processed fro removal or await hearings before a federal immigration judge. 

"Our dedicated ICE officers play a significant role in helping make our communities safer by arresting convicted criminal aliens and removing them from the United States," said Simona L. Flores, field officer for ERO Dallas. "By focusing our resources on the most egregious offenders, we ensure the very best use of our resources, while immediately improving public safety."

"During this operation, there were a number of unfounded rumors spread via social media," said Flores. "I want to emphasize that all participating ICE officers acted professionally and compassionately, while also effectively preforming their duties. Our community outreach officer also worked closely with families that were impacted by these arrests."

"All law enforcement officers face potential life-threatening situations when preforming their duties," said Flores. "This is especially true of our ICE officers when they target convicted criminals who are in the country illegally. The timing, strategies, and methods they are employ are all aimed at ensuing the safety of everyone present."

In fiscal year 2014, Ice conducted 315,943 removals nationwide. Eighty-five percent of individuals removed from the interior of the United States had previously been convicted of a criminal offense. Ninety-eight percent of all ICE FY 2014 removals, or 309,477, clearly met one or more of ICE's stated civil immigration enforcement priorities. The Dallas area of responsibility removed 15,030 aliens in FY 2014; 12,731 had criminal convictions.