ICE nabs Caribbean immigrants in ‘enhanced operation’ in Massachusetts

BOSTON, Massachusetts, CMC – The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says it has collaborated with other US federal law enforcement partners in apprehending 370 illegal immigrants, including Jamaicans, in Massachusetts during “an enhanced targeted enforcement operation”.

It said the operation focused on transnational organised crime, gangs and “egregious illegal alien offenders.”

The immigration enforcement agency said those arrested included a Jamaican immigrant previously deported from the US, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, armed robbery, possession of a firearm, and assault.

Three Dominican Republic nationals were apprehended.

ICE said one was arrested in Boston, Massachusetts for illegally re-entry the US after removal and charged with multiple drug distribution crimes.

Another Dominican Republic immigrant was arrested in Boston for illegally re-entering the US after removal and charged with trafficking fentanyl, ICE said.

It said a third Dominican Republic immigrant was apprehended in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and was wanted for homicide in his native country.

“The Commonwealth is a safer place for our residents to live and work because ICE and our federal law enforcement partners arrested hundreds of alien offenders and removed them from the streets of Massachusetts,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H Hyde.

“Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighbourhoods in and around Boston,” she added. “Our efforts resulted in 370 arrests throughout the commonwealth".

“ICE and our federal law enforcement partners are committed to protecting the homeland through the eradication of transnational criminal organisations, dismantling dangerous criminal gangs preying on the American public, locating and arresting criminal alien offenders, and making our communities a safer place to live,” Hyde continued.

During the six-day enhanced operation, ICE said it and federal law enforcement partners targeted “egregious criminal alien offenders” including transnational criminal organisations known to operate in and around Boston and throughout Massachusetts.

ICE said these organisations include the notorious MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Trinitarios, and 18th Street gangs.

US Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Leah B Foley said: “Everyone should agree that we cannot and will not tolerate individuals who not only violate our immigration laws but then commit crimes that endanger our communities. Those who enter and remain in this country unlawfully are breaking the law.

“My office remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure that dangerous individuals are identified, prosecuted, and removed, so that the people of Massachusetts can live and work in safe and secure communities,” she added.

ICE said 205 of those arrested had significant criminal convictions or charges, and six were foreign fugitives currently facing charges or convictions for murder, drug trafficking, organised crime, and money laundering.

“Safeguarding the integrity of the immigration and citizenship process is critical. We simply can't permit violent and dangerous criminals to enter or remain in the United States under false pretences, with unknown allegiances and intentions. It's a direct threat to public safety and our national security,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Jodi Cohen.

“There's no question our communities are safer today because of this enhanced, targeted operation. FBI Boston, like all our federal partners, will continue to support ICE with these efforts,” she added.

ICE said law enforcement officials seized about 44 kilograms of methamphetamines, 5 kilograms of fentanyl, 1.2 kilograms of cocaine, three firearms and ammunition from illegal immigrant offenders during the operation.

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