ERO Newark arrests 38 noncitizen egregious criminal offenders in local operation

NEWARK, N.J. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers in Newark apprehended 38 unlawfully present noncitizens who have criminal convictions and/or pending criminal charges during a local operation April 15 to April 26.

"Those who enter our country illegally and break our laws should know that we will use the full force of our immigration authority to bring them to justice," said ERO Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris. "These individuals were placed in ERO custody and processed for removal proceedings under the Immigration and Nationality Act."

Those arrested include:

• A 36-year-old citizen of Honduras in Lindenwold who was convicted of felony rape, false imprisonment, sex offense, and perverted practice and was previously removed from the United States in 2017.
• A 39-year-old citizen of Mexico arrested in Bridgeton who was convicted of engaging in prostitution and twice convicted of driving under the influence and was previously removed from the United States in 2012.
• A 26-year-old citizen of Chile arrested in Jersey City who was convicted of felony burglary-forced entry-residence.
• A 46-year-old citizen of Colombia arrested in Morristown who was charged with money laundering, promoting gambling and conspiracy/promoting gambling.
• A 27-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic arrested in Pennsauken who was convicted of felony endangering-sexual conduct with a child by non-caretaker. 

ERO conducts removals of individuals without a lawful basis to remain in the United States, including at the order of immigration judges with the Justice Department's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). EOIR is a separate entity from the Department of Homeland Security and ICE. Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case, determining if a noncitizen is subject to a final order of removal or eligible for certain forms of relief from removal.

ICE focuses on the arrests of noncitizens who have committed crimes and other individuals who have violated our nation's immigration laws. ICE officers, informed by their experience and training, use their inherent discretion as law enforcement officials to focus enforcement resources on those who pose a threat to national security, public safety, or border security. These efforts include noncitizens with final orders of removal. Cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution may be presented to the appropriate U.S. attorney's office.

In fiscal year 2023, ERO arrested 73,822 noncitizens with criminal histories; this group had 290,178 associated charges and convictions with an average of four per individual. These included 33,209 assaults; 4,390 sex and sexual assaults; 7,520 weapons offenses; 1,713 charges or convictions for homicide; and 1,655 kidnapping offenses.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form. Learn more about ICE's mission to increase public safety in your community on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ERONewark.