Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently made a series of arrests targeting illegal immigrants involved in serious crimes. This operation took place on Monday and was confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security. Among those arrested were individuals convicted of offenses like robbery and sexual crimes against children.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin praised the efforts of ICE officers, highlighting their bravery despite facing increased violence. She noted that assaults on these officers have surged by over 1,000% as they work to remove dangerous individuals from communities. McLaughlin emphasized that these officers continue to perform their duties with courage and dedication.
The individuals apprehended include:
- Javier Perez-Garcia, a 48-year-old from Mexico, convicted of indecent sexual contact with a child in Texas, serving an eight-year sentence.
- Jose Nehemias Zavala-Mejia from El Salvador, convicted of aggravated robbery in Kansas.
- Carlos Vasquez-Castro, also from Mexico, convicted of criminal possession of a weapon in New York.
- Adan Guerrero-Gonzalez, a 50-year-old Mexican national, convicted of voluntary manslaughter in South Carolina and sentenced to 15 years.
- Mirna Mendez-Escamilla, another Mexican national, convicted of theft in Utah.
In a related development, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a law that prohibits ICE agents from wearing masks during arrests. This move has drawn criticism from McLaughlin, who called it a dangerous attempt to undermine federal law enforcement. Sources within ICE have stated that the new law will not stop agents from protecting their identities during operations.
This crackdown on illegal immigration and violent offenders is part of ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and ensure that those who pose a threat are held accountable.