Operation targeting criminal aliens nets 44 arrests
Sun-Times Media July 20, 2012 2:40PM
Updated: July 21, 2012 7:10PM
A five-day operation targeting criminal aliens, immigration fugitives and immigration violators culminated in the arrests of 44 people in Chicago and the suburbs.
Of the 44 arrested, 33 had been convicted of crimes including cocaine possession, burglary, battery, assault, distributing marijuana, fraud, aggravated DUI and domestic violence, a release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement said.
Eighteen were immigration fugitives who had been ordered to leave the country but failed to depart, and 14 of those are convicted criminals as well. Ten — including five convicted criminals — had been previously deported and illegally re-entered the country, ICE said.
ICE provided a nationality breakdown of the 44 men arrested: Mexico (33), Poland (5), Guatemala (3), Philippines (1), Mongolia (1), Slovakia (1).
Chicago had the most arrests with 14, while additional arrests were made in Aurora, Bensenville, Cicero, Des Plaines, Elgin, Elmwood Park, Franklin Park, Glenview, Highwood, Ingleside, Morton Grove, Mundelein, Naperville, North Chicago, Oswego, Park City, Park Ridge, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Schaumburg, St. Charles, Wheeling and Winfield.
The arrests included:
— A 24-year-old Mexican national previously convicted of burglary and sentenced to three years in prison. He was arrested July 14 and officers discovered narcotics. He is currently facing state drug charges and is being held at the Cook County Jail with an immigration detainer.
— A 43-year-old Polish national previously convicted of possessing ecstasy with the intent to deliver. He is wanted by Interpol for crimes regarding a fatal car crash in Poland and was arrested July 17. He remains in ICE custody pending removal to Poland.
