Immigration Sweep Nets 48 Arrests In Chicago Area

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 15 people in Chicago and 33 people in the suburbs during a "targeted enforcement operation" aimed at undocumented immigrants.

The raids, which began Feb. 4 and ended Friday, netted 235 arrests in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Kansas and Missouri, according to ICE.

Six people were arrested in Bensenville, five were arrested in Aurora, four were arrested in Cicero, two in Addison and one person each in Arlington Heights, Bolingbrook, Carpentersville, Elgin, Markham, Melrose Park, Mundelein, Plainfield, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Skokie, Waukegan, Wheaton, Wheeling, Wood Dale and Hammond, Indiana, according to the Daily Herald.

Authorities said 60 of the arrestees were previously removed from the U.S. but illegally reentered. ICE reported that 163 of the arrestees have criminal convictions, including:

• An Iraqi citizen arrested in the Chicago area with a conviction for criminal sexual abuse of a victim unable to consent;
• A citizen of Mexico, arrested in Indiana, with previous criminal convictions for domestic battery, aggravated criminal sexual abuse with victim under 13;and aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a family member; and
• A citizen of Mexico, arrested in the Chicago area, with previous criminal convictions for aggravated sexual abuse of a minor; attempted criminal sexual abuse, and solicitation for sex.

Some of those arrested will face criminal prosecution by the U.S. Attorney's Office for illegal entry or illegal reentry into the United States. Those not being prosecuted will be "will be processed for removal from the United States," according to ICE, which said it does not target immigrants indiscriminately but focuses on "public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, and individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including those who re-entered the country after being deported and immigration fugitives ordered deported by federal immigration judges."

Image via U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement