Authorities make large immigration bust in local towns

Authorities arrested a total of 44 convicted criminals, immigration fugitives and immigration violators this week, including many in area suburbs. The arrests were part of a five-day operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in the greater Chicago area.

Weapons possession, domestic battery, aggravated drunken driving, arson, drugs and burglary were part of the criminal history for 34 of the arrested offenders. About half of those arrested in the this week's bust had previously been ordered to leave the county. Eleven of the arrests involved people who had been deported but re-entered the United States illegally. That action alone is a felony.

Officials did not release the names of those arrested. However, they did provide a sampling of the specific backgrounds of some of the arrestees.

A 36-year-old Mexican national was arrested in Aurora with prior convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, felony domestic battery and violating an order of protection. He is now in custody pending deportation proceedings.

A 38-year old Mexican national was also arrested in Aurora. He is a member of the 18th Street gang with convictions for cocaine and marijuana possession and solicitation of a sex act. He is also in federal custody pending deportation proceedings.

Officials from the Enforcement & Removal Operations division said 33 of the people arrested were Mexican nationals, three were from Guatemala, two were from Poland, two from El Salvador, two from Honduras, one from Italy and one from the Philippines.

“ERO is committed to making our communities safer by arresting and removing convicted criminal aliens and immigration fugitives,” said Ricardo Wong, field office director for ICE ERO in Chicago in a written statement. “By targeting our efforts on these egregious offenders, we are improving public safety while making the best use of our resources.”

The arrests occurred in the following communities:

Chicago: 10

Aurora: 6

West Chicago: 6

Cicero: 3

Joliet: 3

Elgin: 2

Geneva: 2

Berwyn: 1

Carol Stream: 1

Carpentersville: 1

Chicago Heights: 1

Des Plaines: 1

Downers Grove: 1

Glendale Heights: 1

Hanover Park: 1

Highwood: 1

Lombard: 1

Medinah: 1

Schaumburg: 1