ICE Arrests 6 in the Hudson Valley: VIDEO

HUDSON VALLEY, NY – Among the 31 foreign nationals arrested during a three-day operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were six people from Westchester, Rockland and Dutchess counties.

ICE issued a press release saying Enforcement and Removal Operations in New York was targeting at-large criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants and immigration fugitives.

Six people were arrested in Westchester, two in Dutchess County and one in Rockland. Queens and Suffolk counties accounted for the largest number of arrests during the operation, conducted in 10 communities.

ICE did not release the names, hometowns, or criminal histories of those it arrested.

Some of the individuals arrested during the enforcement action will be presented for federal prosecution for re-entry after deportation, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Those not being criminally prosecuted will be processed for removal from the country. Individuals 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.

"Law enforcement operations like this should reassure the public that ICE is committed to putting public safety first," said Thomas Decker, field office director for ERO New York, in the press release. "Those who come to the United States to prey upon our neighbors and communities will be prosecuted for their crimes and ultimately returned to their home countries."

Of those arrested during the enforcement action which ended Monday, 30 had criminal histories, including prior convictions for sex crimes, drug offenses and fraud. One has a pending dangerous drug charge and a final order of removal. Others taken into custody during the operation included:

• A Guyanese national with a prior conviction of rape in the third degree; and
• A Honduran national felon arrested in Bronx, NY whose criminal record includes an act in a manner to injure a child less than 17 years of age

What is acting in a manner injurious to a child? The New York penal code covers many possibilities including driving intoxicated with young passengers, committing violence in the presence of a child, providing alcohol or drugs to a minor, or having sexual contact with a child. The law is directed at the potential for injury, which includes moral welfare as well as physical health.

Of the other 29 arrested, 12 had been convicted for driving drunk; three for using dangerous drugs; three for fraud; 2 for robbery; 2 for larceny; and one each for sex offense other; selling heroin; possessing heroin; crimes against person; mail fraud; and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

According to the press release, ICE deportation officers carry out targeted enforcement operations every day in locations around the country as part of the agency's ongoing efforts to protect the nation, uphold public safety and protect the integrity of our immigration laws and border controls. These operations involve existing, established Fugitive Operations Teams. During such enforcement operations, ICE officers frequently encounter additional suspects who may be in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws. Those persons will be evaluated on a case by case basis and, when appropriate, arrested by ICE, officials said in the press release.

Last week's arrestees (29 men and 2 women) included nationals from 13 countries – Mexico (6); Dominican Republic (5); Guatemala (4); Honduras (4); El Salvador (3); Trinidad (2); Korea (1); Pakistan (1); Indonesia(1); Nepal (1); Colombia (2); Haiti (1); and Guyana (1).

ICE released this video of the operation:

PHOTO/ U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement