Arrests made as part of Operation Return to Sender, agency says

By Michelle Austein
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehended more than 2,100 immigration violators, gang members and fugitives in a just-completed nationwide effort, according to Julie L. Myers, assistant secretary for ICE. The initiative, called Operation Return to Sender, began on May 26 and concluded June 13.

Of the 2,179 people arrested in the operation, about half had criminal records for crimes including sexual assault, assault with a deadly weapon and abduction.

"The fugitives captured in this operation threatened public safety in hundreds of neighborhoods and communities around the country," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. "This department has no tolerance for their criminal behavior and we are using every authority at our disposal to bring focus to fugitive operations."

The majority of those apprehended were arrested for immigration violations. More than 800 of these people were sent back to their home countries.

Those arrested on criminal charges will face trial in federal courts.

Those arrested in the operation came from many countries, including Angola, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cape Verde, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Egypt, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Senegal, Thailand, Uganda, the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan.

Operation Return to Sender is the latest action taken as part of the Department of Homeland Security's interior immigration enforcement strategy. (See related article.)

The interior enforcement strategy is part of the Secure Border Initiative, a multiyear plan introduced by Chertoff to secure America's borders and reduce illegal migration. (See related article.)

The full text of a press release on Operation Return to Sender is available on the Department of Homeland Security Web site.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)