U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested at least a dozen illegal immigrants with previous charges or convictions related to child exploitation following a national operation, the agency confirmed Friday.
The arrests were made in Alaska, Washington state, Oregon and Texas.
At least 171 illegal immigrants have been arrested in 25 cities nationwide with pending charges or convictions for murder, homicide or sexual assault against children.
ICE arrested at least 171 illegal immigrants nationwide between Jan. 16-28 related to child exploitation. (ICE ERO El Paso/X)
"Noncitizens who commit repugnant acts at the expense of children will not be allowed to claim our great nation as their home," ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Seattle Field Office Director Drew Bostock said in a release.
He added, "The arrests ERO Seattle made during this national operation are an example of the constant contributions we make locally to keep the U.S. safe from child predators."
The nationwide investigation dubbed Operation Night Guard was conducted Jan. 16-28.
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"We are extremely pleased with the results of this operation," ERO Harlingen (Texas) Field Office Director Miguel Vergara said in a statement. "The arrests are a testament to ERO’s commitment to arrest and remove those who undermine the safety of our communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws."
A compilation of mugshots from the most egregious cases of illegal immigrants arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a nationwide operation from Jan. 16-28. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
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Arrests in the Pacific Northwest and Texas included:
And on Thursday, ERO Los Angeles announced it had apprehended 26 illegal immigrants also with pending charges or convictions for murder, homicide and assault against children.
A flight operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement flies illegal immigrants back to Venezuela in October. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
The arrests come as huge numbers of migrants are crossing into the U.S. illegally under the Biden administration, including in December when there were 302,034 migrant encounters.
The issue has become one politically fraught for President Biden just months ahead of the election and one Republicans have seized on, many of whom are criticizing a Senate-backed bipartisan border bill that House Speaker Mike Johnson has said may be "dead on arrival."
In fiscal year 2023, the ERO arrested 73,822 migrants with criminal charges, including sexual assault, homicide and kidnapping.