As part of a statewide sanctuary enforcement operation, 24 people were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents (ICE) between September 28 and October 2. The arrests focused on "criminal aliens and individuals who violated U.S. immigration laws."
ICE arrested 46 people in a similar operation between mid-July and mid-August.
The San Diego Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, Gregory Archambeault explained, "The State of California has chosen to prohibit local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with ICE to protect public safety. These local agencies are forced to release criminal aliens to the street, abandoning the victims of crimes and the innocent members of their communities. ICE is committed to upholding public safety, and the rule of law, by continuing to target, arrest and seek the removal of criminal aliens released from the custody of local law enforcement.”
Arrests were made in San Diego, Encinitas, Vista, Lakeside, National City, Poway, Fallbrook, Spring Valley, Escondido, Oceanside, and San Marcos, and in news release ICE stated:
In a news release, ICE officials said:
“Of those arrested, 10 were the direct result of sanctuary state laws that force local law enforcement not to honored a lawfully issued immigration detainer. Two arrests were the direct result of the law enforcement agency releasing the individuals prior to ICE being able to place an immigration detainer on their case.
Of those arrested, over 80 percent had prior criminal convictions and/or pending criminal charges. Of those, the criminal offenses included Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a minor under 14 with Force, Domestic Violence, Assault, Possession of Control Substance for Sale, Possession of Control Substance, Vehicle Theft, Burglary, and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.
One individual who was arrested during the operation will face federal criminal prosecution for having illegally re-entered the U.S. after their removal. Those who were primary targets of this operation have final orders of removal issued by a federal immigration judge. Their due process was completed, and they will be removed from the United States. The individuals who were arrested and require adjudication from an immigration judge will be placed in detention pending the outcome of their removal proceedings.”
Photo Credit: Getty Images