The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) announced this Thursday the arrest of 216 immigrants with convictions for trafficking or possession on several occasions of drugs such as methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and heroin.
The arrests were carried out during an operation between March 11 and 26 in several important cities in the country, the agency reported in a press release.
“This operation allowed us to do what ERO [the Removals and Law Enforcement division] was created to do, which is to focus on smart and effective immigration law enforcement to protect our nation by arresting and deporting people. that undermine public safety and violate the integrity of our immigration laws,” said ICE Deputy Director Agent Russ Hott.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conduct an operation in El Paso, Texas, on March 18, 2024.ICE
Wednesday's announcement comes after ICE arrested 275 people in February who were considered a threat to public safety.