ICE Rio Grande Valley agents arrest 228 in single day without incident

By Bethany Blankley
The Center Square

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers working with law enforcement through its 287(g) program made the largest single day arrest of 228 people in the Rio Grande Valley last month without any incident or violence.

In a change, ICE is announcing major arrests and removal successes roughly one month after they occurred.

ICE announced the one day record this week as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Rangers to investigate an ICE fatal shooting in Houston. It also did so as Houston Mayor John Whitmire called for a 90-day moratorium on ICE enforcement actions to focus on training law enforcement to prevent further shootings.

A congressional field hearing is scheduled for the end of the month in Houston to address concerns related to last week’s fatal shooting of a Mexican national who was in the country illegally.

The ICE RGV arrests were led through the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Harlingen Field Office, in partnership with federal, state and local law enforcement officials.

The 228 arrests were the “highest single-day targeted arrests for the area of operations,” ICE said. The arrests occurred on June 18 in border communities familiar with immigration enforcement.

The operation was “aimed at increasing public safety by arresting and removing criminal illegal aliens from our communities, demonstrates a continued commitment to upholding ICE’s mission of keeping the American people safe,” ICE said.

Among those arrested were criminal illegal foreign nationals with convictions for attempted kidnapping, sexual battery and drug possession as well as an alleged Paisas gang member. The gang member’s arrests and convictions include assault causing bodily injury, possession of a controlled substance, driving while intoxicated and multiple illegal reentry charges.

Many arrested face additional criminal charges for illegally reentering the U.S. more than once.

Key arrests include Mexican nationals convicted of attempted kidnapping, sexual battery, collision involving injury, theft, felony possession of a controlled substance, amphetamine trafficking, unlawfully carrying a weapon, driving under the influence of liquor, hit and run, obstructing police, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, property theft and multiple illegal entry and reentry charges.

In June, ICE also removed convicted criminals from the country after they were convicted of sex crimes, drug smuggling and murder. They were all men and all in the country illegally.

“Every removal flight represents more violent offenders, sexual predators and convicted criminals who can no longer prey on people in American communities,” ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Executive Associate Director Marcos Charles said. “Our officers are working every day to identify, arrest and remove those who have demonstrated – through their own actions – that they pose threats to public safety. Our mission isn’t slowing down.”

Those removed from the country include a Liberian national convicted of multiple sexual crimes and driving while impaired. He entered the country in March 1995 as a lawful permanent resident but a federal judge ordered that he be deported after his criminal convictions. Another Liberian national was also deported after he was convicted of aggravated sexual battery and several child sex crimes.

A Brazilian national was also deported after he was convicted of bestiality and charged with driving while intoxicated; a Colombian national was deported after he was convicted on drug trafficking charges; a Mexican national was deported after being convicted of second-degree murder and home invasion/robbery. He was previously deported three times, twice in 1997 and once in 2005.

“Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States and will be removed as quickly as possible,” ICE said. It’s also encouraging members of the public to report crimes and suspicious activity by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or filling out an online tip form.