Federal immigration authorities arrested more than 180 people during a five-day enforcement operation in northwest Alabama, including individuals with previous deportations and criminal convictions, according to a Newsmax report.
The operation was led by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division in New Orleans, with assistance from local law enforcement agencies in Franklin, Lawrence, Colbert and Marshall counties.
Newsmax reported Friday that those arrested included individuals with convictions or previous arrests involving domestic violence, driving under the influence, assault and other offenses.
“ERO New Orleans is committed to protecting our communities by identifying and apprehending illegal aliens who pose public safety concerns and enforcing our nation’s immigration laws,” acting Field Office Director Scott Ladwig said in a statement to Newsmax.
Among those arrested was Pedro Gomez Matias, 43, a Mexican national whom ICE identified as an 18th Street gang member previously deported seven times. According to ICE information reported by Newsmax, Gomez Matias had convictions for domestic violence and driving under the influence, along with a previous charge involving fraudulent immigration documents.
Authorities also arrested Felix Cortez-Ortiz, 45, a Mexican national who had been deported five times and convicted of driving under the influence four times. ICE reported previous arrests for domestic violence and leaving the scene of an accident.
In Franklin County, agents arrested Juan Batz Castro, 54, a Guatemalan national who had been deported twice and convicted of providing false information to police. He also had a previous DUI arrest.
Another Guatemalan national, Pedro Gutierrez, 46, had been deported three times and previously convicted of disturbing the peace and criminal impersonation. ICE reported previous arrests for domestic violence and assault.
Other individuals identified in the Newsmax report included a Honduran national previously arrested on a second-degree rape charge that resulted in deferred prosecution, as well as individuals with prior convictions or arrests involving wanton endangerment, fleeing police, resisting an officer and assault.
The enforcement effort involved ICE’s 287(g) program, which allows participating state and local law enforcement agencies to assist federal authorities with certain immigration enforcement responsibilities.
ICE’s New Orleans field office oversees enforcement operations in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
The arrests and criminal histories described in the report were attributed to ICE. Previous arrests or charges do not necessarily indicate convictions.
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