GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 27 people in western Michigan during an operation targeting criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants and immigration violators, officials announced.
ICE agents conducted the operation across four days on the state's west side.
Recommended Videos
Among the 27 people arrested, 21 had prior criminal convictions and immigration violations, according to officials. There were 25 men and two women arrested.
Among the people arrested were two Mexican men with previous assault convictions, according to ICE officials. A 31-year-old man had been convicted for assault and battery, domestic violence and indecent exposure. A 23-year-old man had been convicted for third-degree assault on a police officer or probation officer and failure to stop at the scene of an accident.
The operation comes days after agency officials announced there has been a 40 percent spike in administrative arrests over the last year.
Criminal convictions of people arrested during the Michigan enforcement operations included assault on a police officer or probation officer, larceny, assault and battery DUI, operating while intoxicated, domestic violence, disorderly person, failure to stop at the scene of an accident, public indecency, indecent exposure, retail fraud and welfare fraud, according to ICE agents.
This week's operation targeted people deemed to be public safety threats, officials said.
"Operations like this one demonstrate ICE's continued focus on the arrest of dangerous criminal aliens, as well as those who enter the United States illegally," Rebecca Adducci, field office director for ERO in Detroit, said. "I applaud the dedicated men and women of ICE who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe."
Five of the 27 people arrested during this week's operation could face federal prosecution for re-entering the country after deportation, according to ICE agents. The maximum penalty for that charge is 20 years in prison.
Those who aren't criminally prosecuted are set to be removed from the country, officials said.