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MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 37 people who were in the United States illegally during a five-day law enforcement operation in Middlesex County.
ICE says that the raid “targeted criminal aliens who were previously incarcerated at the Middlesex County Jail, and who were subsequently released to the community…without honoring the ICE detainer or advising ICE of their release.”
The agency says that of the 37 people arrested, 16 had previously been released by the jail without notifying ICE. About 78 per cent of those arrested had prior criminal convictions or pending criminal charges.
Ruben Perez, acting field office director of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in ICE’s Newark office, criticized Middlesex County leaders for being a so-called “sanctuary county.”
“ERO New Jersey will continue to enforce ICE’s commitment to public safety,” Perez said in a statement. “Middlesex County, which aspires to be a ‘sanctuary county’ by protecting criminal aliens, in the process assists criminals in undermining federal law, and creates a dangerous environment in the community. It also overburdens local law enforcement. ICE will continue to execute its mission in such communities.”
ICE said the individuals ranged in age from 21 to 68 years and were nationals of India, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru and Turkey.