El Paso Standard

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), along with other federal agencies, conducted a week-long enforcement operation resulting in the arrest of 48 individuals who were illegally present in the United States. The operation, which concluded on March 8, took place in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Roswell, New Mexico.

Among those apprehended, 20 individuals faced charges or convictions for serious crimes including homicide, criminal sexual penetration, sexual assault, battery on a household member, aggravated battery, drug trafficking, burglary-forced entry, driving under the influence, and shoplifting. Others were detained for immigration violations such as illegal entry and illegal re-entry after deportation. Additionally, 21 of those arrested had final orders of removal.

"ICE is grateful for our federal partners’ assistance in taking egregious offenders off the streets and out of our communities," stated Mary De Anda-Ybarra, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations El Paso Field Office Director. "These arrests exemplify the type of criminals living among us and highlight ICE’s commitment to our agency’s primary mission – protect public safety."

The enforcement actions are part of ICE's ongoing efforts throughout the El Paso area of responsibility which covers West Texas and New Mexico.