by Kaylee Greenlee
Over 150 aliens, including 117 who said they would voluntarily leave the U.S. were arrested during a 10-day enforcement period, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Monday.
The national enforcement operation, “Operation Broken Promise” found that 71% of the aliens arrested from Dec. 7 through Dec. 17 had criminal convictions or pending charges, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Our officers are committed to preserving the integrity of our nation’s immigration laws and are strengthening the overall safety, security and well-being of our communities,” Acting ICE Director Tony Pham said in a statement.
SOPDD Pham: Operation Broken Promise seeks to restore integrity to the voluntary departure process and serves as a reminder to those with orders of voluntary departure that you MUST keep your promise to the United States and depart within the agreed upon timeframe…. pic.twitter.com/jguIxZWRoW
— ICE (@ICEgov) November 19, 2020
“Operation Broken Promise” targets aliens who said they would voluntarily leave the U.S. for arrest and removal, according to ICE. Aliens generally request voluntary departure, where an immigration judge gives them between 60 and 120 days to organize their departure that won’t impact their chances of readmission as formal deportation does.
If the alien does not depart the country within the set terms, they will be subject to a final removal order and formal deportation, according to ICE. If an alien is formally deported and caught attempting to illegally reenter the U.S., they face felony charges and up to 20 years in prison.
Over 150 aliens who were granted voluntary departure were arrested from Nov. 2 to Nov. 17, according to ICE.
– – –
Kaylee Greenlee is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
