ICE El Paso finds migrant children working at construction sites, illegal aliens with criminal backgrounds apprehended

A high-profile immigration enforcement operation targeting various construction sites in El Paso, Texas, and Santa Teresa, New Mexico, resulted in the rescue of migrant children who were illegally forced into work. The nine-day operation, which netted the arrests of 38 illegal immigrants, was spearheaded by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) El Paso, according to a press release.

Two ICE fugitives with final orders of removal and four individuals charged with felony illegal reentry were among those arrested. Three illegal immigrant minors, aged 15 to 17, who were unlawfully employed at various construction sites, were also recused by federal officers. The minors were subsequently transferred to the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement at the Department of Health and Human Services, according to ICE.

Additionally, eight of the illegal immigrants had criminal histories, which included convictions for failing to identify as a fugitive from justice, assault causing bodily injury to a family member, and driving while intoxicated. Federal agents also apprehended an individual who had an active warrant for engaging in deceptive business practices. According to the release, this individual was transferred to local law enforcement, and ICE has submitted an immigration detainer.

"We will continue to aggressively pursue criminal investigations and enforce immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety," said ICE El Paso acting Field Office Director Joel Garcia. "These ongoing, routine enforcement operations and arrests underscore ICE's unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who violate US immigration law and threaten the safety of our communities."

ICE El Paso has released images of some of the apprehended individuals, along with their accompanying charges:







Members of the public can report immigration-related crimes or suspicious activity by calling (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.