Caribbean nationals among dozens arrested in ICE in New York

Caribbean nationals were among 133 undocumented immigrants apprehended during a recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation targeting individuals with criminal convictions and other immigration violations in western, central, and northern New York.

ICE reported that nationals from Trinidad and Tobago and the Dominican Republic were among those arrested during the five-day operation, conducted between March 24 and 28. Among the more serious cases were a 49-year-old Trinidadian convicted of murder, and two Dominican nationals — a 66-year-old convicted of course sexual conduct with a child, and a 70-year-old convicted of manslaughter and drug trafficking offenses.

“This operation reflects our continued commitment to public safety and national security through targeted enforcement,” said Philip Rhoney, acting deputy field office director for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Buffalo. He credited the agency’s success to its partnerships and intelligence-driven strategies, adding, “I am grateful for the professionalism and support from all of our partners during this week-long operation to remove dangerous alien offenders from our New York communities.”

Although ICE’s primary focus was in the Buffalo area, the operation extended across upstate regions including Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Rouses Point, and Massena. Of the total arrests, 84 were made in the Buffalo and Rochester areas, with 49 others apprehended in the remaining locations.

According to ICE, 20 of those arrested had prior criminal convictions or pending charges, including three convicted of murder. Nine individuals had previously been deported from the United States but reentered illegally.