ICE nabs Caribbean nationals in immigration sweep

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia has detained nationals from Haiti and the Dominican Republic among 29 noncitizens with criminal convictions in a 10-day surge operation in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware.

ICE said those arrested included a 66-year-old citizen of Haiti convicted of felony rape in Delaware County, Pennsylvania and a 54-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic convicted of felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

ICE also said that, of the 29 noncitizens arrested, five individuals were convicted of assault and other related offences; one for rape; eight for theft and other related offences; five for controlled substance violations; nine for driving under the influence and one for an accident involving death or injury.

“The success of this operation is attributable to the skill and dedication of our deportation officers,” said ERO Philadelphia Field Office Director Cammilla Wamsley about “Operation Cross Check”.

“Every day, our deportation officers, without regard to their personal safety, apprehend noncitizens who have proven that they pose a threat to the American public,” she added. “I am extremely proud of everything ERO Philadelphia accomplished.”

Wamsley said “Operation Cross Check” focused on noncitizens who “pose a danger to the American people and exhibit a disregard for US laws.”

Regardless of nationality, ICE said it makes custody determinations on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with US law and US Department of Homeland Security policy, considering the individual merits and factors of each case.

“ICE officers make associated decisions and apply prosecutorial discretion in a responsible manner, informed by their experience as law enforcement professionals and in a way that best protects against the greatest threats to the homeland,” the statement said.

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