SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- More than 20 people were arrested in San Diego as part of a statewide sanctuary enforcement operation carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
ICE officials said the arrests were made between Sept. 28 and Oct. 2, with the focus on “criminal aliens and individuals who have violated U.S. immigration laws.”
According to officials, arrests were made in San Diego, Encinitas, Vista, Lakeside, National City, Poway, Fallbrook, Spring Valley, Escondido, Oceanside, and San Marcos.
In a news release, ICE officials said:
“Of those arrested, 10 were the direct result of sanctuary state laws that force local law enforcement not to honored a lawfully issued immigration detainer. Two arrests were the direct result of the law enforcement agency releasing the individuals prior to ICE being able to place an immigration detainer on their case.
Of those arrested, over 80 percent had prior criminal convictions and/or pending criminal charges. Of those, the criminal offenses included Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a minor under 14 with Force, Domestic Violence, Assault, Possession of Control Substance for Sale, Possession of Control Substance, Vehicle Theft, Burglary, and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.
One individual who was arrested during the operation will face federal criminal prosecution for having illegally re-entered the U.S. after their removal. Those who were primary targets of this operation have final orders of removal issued by a federal immigration judge. Their due process was completed, and they will be removed from the United States. The individuals who were arrested and require adjudication from an immigration judge will be placed in detention pending the outcome of their removal proceedings.”
Gregory Archambeault, Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in San Diego, said, “The State of California has chosen to prohibit local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with ICE to protect public safety. These local agencies are forced to release criminal aliens to the street, abandoning the victims of crimes and the innocent members of their communities. ICE is committed to upholding public safety, and the rule of law, by continuing to target, arrest and seek the removal of criminal aliens released from the custody of local law enforcement.”
