ICE immigration raids target Ventura, Santa Barbara counties

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials arrested 161 foreign nationals from 13 different countries during a 5-day enforcement operation in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

Of those arrested, 151 had prior criminal convictions (table below), according to ICE. Officials say the enforcement operation targeted public safety threats, such as undocumented convicted criminals and gang members, and those who re-entered the U.S. after being deported and immigration fugitives deported by federal immigration judges.

“Those not being criminally prosecuted will be processed for removal from the country,” said ICE in fact sheet they released to the press. “During targeted enforcement operations ICE officers frequently encounter additional suspects who may be in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws. Those persons will be evaluated on a case by case basis and, when appropriate, arrested by ICE.”

Four undocumented immigrants were arrested in Santa Maria and one person in Los Alamos in the Santa Barbara County operation. Ventura County had six arrests in the cities of Ventura, Camarillo and Oxnard. See table below.

ICE officials say deportation officers conducted targeted enforcement operations every day in locations around the country “as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to protect the nation, uphold public safety and protect the integrity of our immigration laws and border controls.”

“President Trump has been clear in affirming the critical mission of DHS in protecting the nation and directed our Department to focus on removing illegal aliens who have violated our immigration laws, with a specific focus on those who pose a threat to public safety, have been charged with criminal offenses, have committed immigration violations or have been deported and re-entered the country illegally,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly in a statement.

There are some reports from residents saying ICE officers set up checkpoints during the 5-day operation, particularly in Los Angeles county, but ICE officials are denying such reports.

Overall, 680 individuals were arrested in targeted enforcement operations across the country.

CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS

Domestic Violence

42

Cruelty Toward Child

2

Drug Offenses

26

Battery

2

Assault

23

Identity Theft

2

Sex Crimes

17

Counterfeiting

1

DUI

17

Robbery

1

Burglary

6

Property Damage

1

Weapons Violations

5

Prostitution

1

Vehicle Theft

4

Intimidation

1

NATIONALITIES

Mexico

121

China

2

Honduras

1

Australia

1

South Korea

1

El Salvador

16

Nicaragua

2

Belize

1

Brazil

1

Guatemala

11

Jamaica

2

Philippines

1

Israel

1

COUNTY ARRESTS TOTALS

Los Angeles

95

San Bernardino

13

Ventura

6

Orange

35

Riverside

7

Santa Barbara

5

CITY ARREST TOTALS

Los Angeles

28

Redlands

1

Van Nuys

9

Monrovia

2

N. Hollywood

2

Compton

6

La Puente

4

Long Beach

1

Pasadena

4

Duarte

1

Whittier

3

Bell Gardens

2

Monterey Park

1

Cerritos

1

North Hills

2

Temple City

1

Covina

2

Ventura

2

Anaheim

4

Santa Ana

16

Costa Mesa

1

Camarillo

1

Fullerton

1

Tustin

1

Placentia

1

La Habra

4

Stanton

1

Arleta

1

Pacoima

2

Bell

1

El Monte

2

Gardena

1

Signal Hill

1

Palms Springs

1

Bloomington

1

Orange

1

Huntington Park

1

Garden Grove

2

San Pedro

1

Mission Viejo

1

Santa Fe Springs

1

Norwalk

1

Lynwood

1

Sylmar

1

Huntington Beach

2

Burbank

2

Sun Valley

2

Canoga Park

4

Panorama City

1

Littlerock

1

Lancaster

1

Menifee

1

Perris

1

Romoland

1

Hesperia

3

Victorville

1

Rancho Cucamonga

1

Beaumont

1

Fontana

2

Pomona

1

Grand Terrace

1

Sun City

1

Moreno Valley

3

Corona

1

Los Alamos

1

Santa Maria

4

Oxnard

3