Honduran national in West New York among 123 N.J. immigrants arrested by ICE

A 27-year-old previously deported Honduran national, who was living in West New York, was among 123 immigrants arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of a statewide, month-long sweep targeting those with prior arrests.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

The operation, which was spearheaded by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), targeted at-large criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants and other immigration violators who had prior arrests or convictions for DUI, the agency announced on their website.

Of those arrested during the operation, 90 percent had prior criminal convictions and/or pending criminal charges.

“The remarkable results of our officers and law enforcement partners highlight ICE’s ongoing commitment to public safety,” Field Officer Director of ERO Newark John Tsoukaris said in a statement.

“This operation focuses on the arrest of individuals convicted of serious crimes and are a threat to public safety. Because of the targeted efforts of these professional and dedicated officers, there are 123 fewer criminals in our communities.”

The operation was supported by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the watch of New York Field Office Director Troy Miller.

These individuals will go through removal proceedings before an immigration judge or for those under a final order of removal, arrangements will be made to remove them from the U.S.

About a third of those arrested, 41, were nationals from Mexico, while Union County had the most arrests (23) out of the 14 New Jersey counties that were part of the investigation.

Hudson County saw eight people arrested in the sweep, and while names were withheld, ICE detailed the background of nine detained, which included a 27-year-old West New York man.

Described as a previously deported Honduran national, the defendant is also said to have a conviction for criminal restraint/risk of serious bodily injury, as well as active warrants for the offenses of DUI, domestic violence and disorderly conduct.

ICE deportation officers conduct 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.