ERO Newark arrests 33 criminal noncitizens in week-long surge operation

NEWARK, N.J. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark arrested 33 noncitizens who presented a danger to the American public in a week-long targeted, surge operation conducted Dec. 9 to 13, 2024.

"ICE ERO Newark targeted removable noncitizens determined to be a threat to national security, public safety, or border security," said ERO Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris. "I'm extremely proud of our deportation officers, who put their lives on the line around the clock to apprehend noncitizens who have proven they pose a threat to our communities. Our ERO officers carefully evaluate individuals everyday, on a case-by-case basis, to make informed arrest determinations."

ERO Newark officers specifically targeted noncitizens for apprehension who had felonies or misdemeanors for domestic violence, sexual abuse or exploitation, burglary, unlawful possession or use of a firearm, drug distribution or trafficking, and driving under the influence. Officers also targeted noncitizens with an executable final order of removal who have re-entered the U.S. illegally after having been previously removed.

Those apprehended during the operation include:

• An unlawfully present national of Brazil who has pending aggravated assault charges.
• An unlawfully present national of the Dominican Republic who has convictions for aggravated manslaughter and obstructing the administration of law.
• An unlawfully present national of the Dominican Republic convicted of sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, and endangering the welfare of a child.
• An unlawfully present national of Costa Rica who has pending charges of cruelty to animals, pay admission to fighting animals, and animal fighting paraphernalia.
• An unlawfully present national of Mexico convicted of sexual assault of a minor-victim 13 to 15 years old.
• An unlawfully present national of Brazil with pending charges of terroristic threats, harassment, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
• An unlawfully present national of Brazil convicted of murder.

Those arrested and detained will remain in ICE custody pending removal. ICE makes custody determinations regardless of nationality, on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with U.S. law and Department of Homeland Security policy, considering the individual merits and factors of each case. ICE officers make associated decisions and apply prosecutorial discretion in a responsible manner, informed by their experience as law enforcement professionals and in a way that best protects against the greatest threats to the homeland.

Noncitizens placed into removal proceedings receive their legal due process from federal immigration judges in the immigration courts, which are administered by the Executive Office for Immigration Review. The Executive Office for Immigration Review is an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice and is separate from the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case. ICE officers carry out the removal decisions made by the federal immigration judges.

ERO is one of ICE's three operational directorates and is the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO's mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency's detained and non-detained populations, and repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO's workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings, and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.

Members of the public can report crime and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ERO Newark's mission to increase public safety in your community on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ERONewark.