Over 200 people, convicted sex predators and drug lords among them, were rounded up in the New York City area over a six-day period earlier this month as part of President Donald Trump’s illegal immigration crackdown, federal authorities say.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and law enforcement partners carried out a targeted enforcement operation in and around New York City, focused on “egregious” criminal offenders.
According to ICE, more than half of the 206 apprehended between April 6 and April 12 have substantial prior records or are now facing prosecution for offenses such as murder, assault, arson, rape, drugs, and illegal guns. One is a foreign fugitive wanted for crimes in his native country, while the other has been convicted of homicide in the Philippines.
Some are linked to New York-based international criminal organizations, such as MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Sureños, and the 18th Street gang.
Mayor Eric Adams has stated that he encourages collaboration at all levels of police.
“ICE is not a criminal organization.” “ICE is a law enforcement organization,” he stated. “I cooperate with law enforcement organizations on public safety.”
The FBI New York, DEA New York, ATF New York, USMC New York, DSS New York, and the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York were among the law enforcement agencies that took part in the operation.
“New York is much safer today because of the hard work of ICE and our law enforcement partners,” acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said in a statement. “Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in and around the city of New York. Our efforts resulted in 206 arrests in just one week.”