U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is reporting that 5,000 criminal illegals aliens have been apprehended so far in fiscal year (FY) 2018 (Oct. 1, 2017, to Sept. 30, 2018).
The latest three-day nationwide operation netted six criminal aliens attempting to come into the country illegally, including a convicted murderer and MS-13 and 18th Street gang members.
The agency said on Monday the operation took place last weekend with arrests made “across the United States, from Vermont to the California coast.”
CBP’s jurisdiction extends to 100 air miles from any border.
“Human smuggling is a violent criminal enterprise that puts the safety of our communities and our country at risk,” U.S. Border Patrol Acting Deputy Chief Scott A. Luck said in announcing the successful operation.
“Attacking this problem is a top Department of Homeland Security (DHS) priority,” Luck said. “We are committed to using the wealth of resources, technology, and expertise at our disposal not only to disrupt the current activity but to identify and dismantle the criminal organizations behind it.”
“In Fiscal Year 2018 through the end of May, Border Patrol agents have arrested 5,000 people with criminal records who have attempted to enter the United States illegally,” the press release announcing the latest arrests said. “Additionally, Border Patrol agents have arrested more than 505 criminal gang members to include Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), 18th Street gang and Mexican Mafia.”
The agency provided details of the latest arrests:
On June 22, Border Patrol agents arrested a Mexican national near El Centro, California who was convicted of child molestation and a suspected MS-13 gang member near McAllen, Texas. Both were referred for prosecution and removal.
A Peruvian national and a Mexican national were apprehended on June 23 near Averill, Vermont. Record checks revealed that both subjects were previously deported. The Mexican national admitted to being a member of the 18th Street gang. Both individuals were processed for prosecution and removal.
On June 24, an El Salvadoran national who verbally admitted to being an active 18th Street gang member was arrested by Border Patrol agents near Rio Grande City, Texas. The subject was processed for prosecution and removal.
That same day, a Mexican national, who was previously convicted of murder and served 32 years in prison, was apprehended near San Ysidro, California. The individual will be processed for prosecution and removal. Lastly, an El Salvadoran national, who admitted to being a MS-13 gang member, was arrested by Border Patrol agents near Three Points, Arizona.
“Border Patrol agents were able to identify their criminal histories and gang affiliation by a search of CBP and FBI biometric databases,” including matching suspects to outstanding criminal warrants.
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