BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, along with a number of other federal law enforcement agencies, arrested 133 illegal aliens March 24-28 in what they are describing as "an enhanced targeted enforcement operation focusing on criminal illegal alien offenders."

The news comes from a U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement press release from the Buffalo office.

The sweep by federal authorities included arrests in Massena, along with 84 aliens from the Buffalo and Rochester areas, as well as 49 illegal aliens from Syracuse, Albany, Rouses Point and Massena, federal officials said.

Similar operations have been undertaken in recent weeks, including at Flack Farm in Lisbon. Two illegal aliens were arrested and prepared for deportation after that sweep, both of whom were allegedly illegally in the country. 

A second operation was conducted in Sackets Harbor, leading to multiple arrests as well. That operation has drawn significant ire from the public, with over 1,000 protestors taking to the streets last weekend in opposition of ICE.

Four criminal search warrants were executed during the operation, all during the worksite enforcement component of the operation "for federal violations of bringing in and harboring certain aliens and resulted in multiple bookings and records seizures as well as 18 administrative arrests for violations of immigration law," federal officials said.

“By leveraging our federal partnerships and intelligence-driven investigations, ICE continues to carry out its mission in a way that best serves national security, public safety and border security,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Buffalo acting Deputy Field Office Director Philip Rhoney.

“I am grateful for the professionalism, dedication and support from all of our partners during this week-long operation to remove dangerous alien offenders from our New York communities.”

Among those arrested include individuals convicted of manslaughter, murder, gang assault and sexual misconduct, federal officials said.

Among those arrested include the following, according to federal officials:

• A 49-year-old illegal alien from Trinidad and Tobago convicted of murder.
• A 66-year-old illegal alien from the Dominican Republic convicted of sexual conduct with a child.
• A 32-year-old illegal alien from El Salvador convicted of murder and gang assault.
• A 70-year-old illegal alien from the Dominican Republic convicted of manslaughter and criminal sale of controlled substances.
• A 50-year-old illegal alien from China convicted of assault.
• A 42-year-old illegal alien from Mexico convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
• A 24-year-old illegal alien from Ecuador with several convictions for DWI.
• A 43-year-old H-2A visa holder from South Africa charged with distribution and possession of child pornography.

“The success of this enhanced enforcement operation underscores the importance of utilizing a whole-of-government approach when protecting the public from criminal aliens and dangerous individuals living in our western, central, and northern New York communities,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan.

"Standing side-by-side with our partners, ICE HSI will utilize every tool at our disposal to ensure the safety and security of New Yorkers. I commend our partners from the FBI, CBP, USBP, ATF, DEA, DSS, and USMS for their unwavering collaboration in support of this vital mission.”

In total, 20 of those arrested had criminal convictions or charges, including three for homicide. Nine of those arrested had previously been removed from the United States, federal officials said.

Partner law enforcement agencies participating in the operation were FBI Buffalo; FBI Albany; Drug Enforcement Administration New York; U.S. Customs and Border Protection Buffalo; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives New York; U.S. Marshals Service Buffalo; USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security; Department of State Diplomatic Security Service; and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western and Northern Districts of New York.

No further details were given in the press release but North Country This Week has sought further comment from federal officials. We will update this story as more details become available.

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