ICE Arrests 25 On Long Island In Roundup

Officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested 25 people during a six-day operation on Long Island, ending Nov. 9, in an enforcement effort dubbed "Operation Secure Streets."

In the course of Operation Secure Streets, officers apprehended 25 people, 24 of whom have been convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. One person, who was arrested for immigration violations, did not have a DUI-related conviction. Each person was taken into custody and is currently being detained pending the completion of removal proceedings.

One of those arrested, a 40-year-old man from El Salvador, was a member of MS-13.

"This operation targeted those who were convicted of driving under the influence, some with children in the car, solidifying ICE’s commitment to remove public safety threats from our communities," said Thomas R. Decker, field office director for ERO New York. "With the incredibly high number of vehicle accidents and related deaths as a result of DUIs, ICE will continue to arrest and remove these criminal aliens for the safety of our city's residents."

Some of those that were arrested were people who had already been deported. Among the charges the 25 had were aggravated DWI, second-degree assault, second-degree criminal trespassing, driving while ability impaired and driving while intoxicated.

The arrestees include people from Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Ukraine. Deportation officers made arrests throughout Long Island. People from Glen Cove and Hempstead were arrested in Nassau County, and in Suffolk, arrestees came from Amityville, Bay Sshore, Calverton, Central Islip, Commack, Coram, Hampton Bays, Huntington, Medford, Moriches, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma, Riverhead, Sag Harbor, Shirley, West Babylon and Wheatley Heights.

Among those arrested were:

• A 41-year-old, previously removed Guatemalan man convicted of driving while intoxicated. He was arrested in Patchogue on Nov. 4 and will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
• A 40-year-old, previously removed Brazilian man convicted of driving while intoxicated.. He was arrested in Ronkonkoma on Nov. 5 and will remain in ICE custody pending removal to Brazil.
• A 31-year-old citizen of Guatemala with a prior convictions of criminal trespass in the 2nd degree and driving while ability impaired. He was arrested in Riverhead, Nov. 6 and will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
• A 35-year-old previously removed Honduran man with prior conviction of assault in the 3rd degree. He was arrested in Hempstead on Nov. 7 and will remain in ICE custody pending removal to Honduras.
• A 40-year-old Salvadoran national with a prior conviction of driving while intoxicated, identified as a MS-13 gang member. He was arrested in Shirley on Nov. 7 and will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

Those arrested will be processed administratively for removal from the United States. The arrestees who have outstanding orders of deportation, or who returned to the United States illegally after being deported, are subject to immediate removal from the country. The remaining individuals are in ICE custody awaiting a hearing before an immigration judge, or pending travel arrangements for removal in the near future.

Photo: Immigration and Customs Enforcement