US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) captured illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes in targeted operations across the country. Individuals with convictions for attempted murder of a federal agent, child abuse, rape, and assault with a deadly weapon were taken into custody.
Mexican national Jose Solorzano-Felix, arrested in Salt Lake City, Utah, was convicted of attempted murder of a federal law enforcement officer, use of a firearm during a felony, and possession of a firearm by an illegal immigrant.
In Santa Clara, California, Mexican national and illegal immigrant Paulino Lugos-Perez was arrested by ICE after a conviction for lewd and lascivious conduct with a child.
Mexican national Adrian Valdez-Lopez, arrested in Forsyth, North Carolina, had a conviction for second-degree forcible rape.
The operations also targeted violent gang members. In Pasadena, California, Honduras national and Latin Kings gang member Edgar Josue Centeno was arrested with a conviction for assault with a deadly weapon. In Mineola, New York, El Salvador national Rodolfo Umana was arrested following a theft conviction.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Deputy Secretary Lauren Bis emphasized the importance of the operation in a statement. Bis said, "Yesterday, brave ICE officers risked their lives to arrest illegal criminals convicted of attempted murder of a federal law enforcement officer, child abuse, rape, assault with a deadly weapon, and theft."
The DHS official stated that under the leadership of President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, ICE will continue to arrest and deport such public safety threats. According to DHS data, approximately 70 percent of ICE arrests involve illegal immigrants who have previously been charged with or convicted of a crime in the US.