Caribbean Nationals Nabbed In US Immigration Sweep Targeting Sex Offenders

NEWARK, New Jersey Apr. 14, (CMC) – The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says officers from its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Newark Field Office have arrested several Caribbean nationals, in an operation targeting children sex offenders.

Today, the ICE said nationals from Cuba, the Dominica Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago were among 44 arrested in the “Crimes against Children” operation in New Jersey.

ICE, which did not identify the nationals arrested, said the operation was part of its public safety efforts, and the individuals were convicted of various crimes against children.

The individuals arrested throughout New Jersey were also nationals of Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, England, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Venezuela.

“The results of this targeted enforcement operation underscore ICE’s ongoing commitment to public safety,” said John Tsoukaris, Field Office Director of ERO Newark.

“As part of this operation, we specifically focused on the arrest of individuals who took advantage of children,” he added. “Because of the tireless efforts and teamwork of ERO officers and our law enforcement partners, there are 44 fewer criminals in our neighborhoods.”

Those arrested range in ages from 19 to 61, and were previously convicted of a variety of offenses.

Some of the convictions included sexual abuse of a minor, criminal sexual contact of a child, luring or enticing a child, endangering the welfare of a child, sexual assault of a minor, child abuse, child neglect and indecent exposure.

ICE said, among those arrested during the operation, was a Haitian citizen, who was convicted of criminal sexual contact against a child and endangering the welfare of a child.

A Cuban national was also convicted of three counts of sexual assault of a minor.

In fiscal year 2015, ICE said it conducted 235,413 deportations nationwide.