Caribbean nationals are among 36 people arrested by law enforcement authorities in the United States during a five-day operation. The arrests were part of an ongoing “public safety efforts” campaign conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Previously incarcerated
According to ICE, the operation targeted criminal immigrants who were previously incarcerated at the Middlesex County Jail (MCJ) in New Jersey. The immigrants were subsequently released to the community by MCJ, without honoring the ICE detainer or advising them of their release.
Immigration detainer
An immigration detainer is a tool used by ICE and other US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials. The detainer is required when the agencies identifies potentially deportable individuals who are held in jails or prisons nationwide. This policy is in accordance with the American Immigration Council.
Typically, according to ICE, detainers are issued by an authorized immigration official or local police officer designated to act as an immigration official under section 287(g) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
ICE said the operation also targeted other criminal immigrants residing in Middlesex County.
Caribbean Immigrants arrested
The Caribbean immigrants arrested as part of the operation were nationals of Anguilla, Belize, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The other immigrants were nationals of El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Kenya, Mexico, Paraguay, Philippines and Turkey.
ICE said the detained individuals range from 19 to 62 years old, and were all previously arrested or convicted of a variety of offenses.
Various offenses
Some of the arrests and convictions included sexual assault of a minor, child abuse, criminal restraint of a minor, domestic violence, possession of narcotics, distribution of narcotics, robbery, receiving stolen property, theft, aggravated assault, hindering apprehension, resisting officer, driving under the influence (DUI), unsworn falsification, possession of a weapon, burglary, prostitution, and illegal re-entry into the US.
For other recent news on Caribbean nationals detained by ICE, click the link: Caribbean nationals nabbed in immigration sweep
