MIAMI, UNITED STATES — The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced the arrest of 18 individuals, including a 55-year-old Jamaican national, during a recent enforcement operation targeting individuals deemed a threat to public safety.
The Jamaican national, whose name has not been released, was previously convicted of possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. ICE stated that all 18 suspects, including those from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, China, Jamaica, and Colombia, are currently awaiting removal hearings before an immigration judge.
Garrett Ripa, director of ICE’s Deportation Enforcement Office (ERO) in Miami, emphasized the agency’s commitment to effective immigration enforcement. “ERO is focused on smart and effective immigration enforcement that protects residents across Florida by apprehending and removing those who violate our immigration laws and threaten the safety of our communities,” Ripa said.
The operation targeted individuals with criminal backgrounds including racketeering, conspiracy, extortion, possession of a weapon, driving while intoxicated, domestic violence, child abuse, hit and run, theft, criminal damage to property, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, and resisting an officer.
ICE highlighted the importance of the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program, noting that violations of release terms by breaking other laws have serious consequences. The agency also affirmed that aliens facing deportation proceedings are provided due process under the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
In the previous year, ICE reported arresting 73,822 individuals with criminal records, reflecting its continued focus on enforcing immigration laws and maintaining public safety.
