US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 1,226 illegal immigrants in Georgia during an enhanced enforcement operation targeting individuals with criminal histories, according to the agency.Dubbed “Operation Safe Community–Atlanta,” the operation resulted in the arrest of 720 people who had either been convicted of or charged with crimes in the US, ICE said.The agency said the arrests involved offences including sex crimes, crimes against children, aggravated assault, drug offences, burglary, weapons violations and driving under the influence.
ICE: Operation targeted criminal offenders
“Our officers did what they do best: They arrested and removed dangerous criminal offenders from American communities,” ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Acting Assistant Director Patricia Hyde said in a statement.ICE said all 1,226 individuals arrested during the operation were in violation of US immigration law, while more than 700 also had criminal histories in the country.
Trucking company among locations targeted
ICE officers also arrested five illegal immigrants at the address of a trucking company that the agency said was known for employing illegal immigrants.Among those arrested was Fabian Pineda-Garcia, a Mexican national with prior convictions for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine and driving while intoxicated, according to ICE.The agency also identified Jose Felix Amaya-Pineda, from El Salvador, who had prior arrests for domestic battery/family violence, cruelty to children, disorderly conduct and driving while intoxicated.Other arrests included Elena Marin, a Romanian national with prior arrests for theft by deception and petit larceny, and Armando Loma-Cristo, a Mexican national previously arrested on allegations including DUI, supplying alcohol to underage people, child endangerment and driving without a valid licence, ICE said.
ICE steps up enforcement
The Georgia operation comes as the Trump administration continues to intensify immigration enforcement across the US.ICE has been carrying out targeted operations against illegal immigrants with criminal records, with the agency saying the efforts are aimed at removing dangerous offenders from American communities.