271 have been arrested by the ICE
As part of a recent operation that lasted for a week, 271 immigrants in the state of Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands were detained by multiple agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Detention and Deportation (ERO). The referred arrests reportedly took place between the 18 and 22 of the current month.
The operation was aimed at foreign criminals in a coercive action against persons who represent a threat to public safety and those who committed violations against national immigration laws, states the ICE in a declaration.
The arrests were made in 23 Florida counties, including 76 arrests in Miami Dade, 65 in Broward, 27 in Duval, 17 in Palm Beach, 14 in Hillsborough, 10 in Orange, seven in Seminole, five in Manatee, five in Lee, four in Pinellas, four in Brevard, three in Polk, three in Indian River, two in Volusia, two in Bay, two in Martin, one in Escambia, one in Gadsden, one in Lake, one in Osceola, one in Sarasota, one in St. Lucie, one in Suwannee, 11 in Puerto Rico and seven in the Virgin Islands.
According to information posted in the agency´s website, 99 of the detainees had a criminal record that included convictions for serious or violent crimes, such as first-degree murder, attempted murder, vehicular manslaughter, rape, aggravated assault, attempted theft, assault, robbery break-in, child neglect, cruelty to a child, domestic violence, drug charges such as possession and trafficking, offenses with weapons, elder abuse.
Additional convictions include driving under the influence of alcohol, fraud, illegal entry and re-entry to the United States, resisting an officer, traffic offenses, among others. It is also known that detentions in Florida increased more than in any other state. As part of the action, ERO officers arrested 49 ICE fugitives and 39 people who were previously removed from the US, as well as two well-known gang members and one person with an Interpol Red Notice.
After years of decline, the number of arrests made in Florida by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) escalated to a maximum in three years during fiscal year 2017, according to agency data, which represent the largest percentage increase, occurred in the State.
About the matter, José Guerrero, immigration lawyer, explained this situation comes as a result of the change of priorities by President Trump's executive order. "Since the change of priorities of this administration, no person is exempt from being detained”, he added.
