35 arrests in immigration roundup

An immigration operation that targeted 2,100 people in 10 cities nets 35 arrests, officials said.

WASHINGTON — An immigration enforcement operation that President Donald Trump said was part of an effort to deport “millions” of people from the United States resulted in 35 arrests, officials said Tuesday.

Trump billed the operation targeting families as a show of force as the number of Central American families crossing the southern border has skyrocketed. There are about 1 million people in the country with final deportation orders, and the operation targeted 2,100 in 10 cities.

Of those arrested, 18 were members of families and 17 were collateral apprehensions of people in the country illegally encountered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. None of those arrested resulted in the separation of family, officials said.

Career ICE officers described the arrests as a routine operation, one expected to net an average of about 10% to 20% of targets.

A separate nationwide enforcement operation targeting immigrants here illegally who had criminal convictions or charges netted 899 arrests. And officers handed out 3,282 notices of inspection to businesses that may be employing people here illegally.

Acting ICE director Matthew Albence said the operations would be ongoing. “Part of the way you stop people from coming is having a consequence to the illegal activity when you do come,” he said.

The operation targeted families centered on those who had been ordered deported by an immigration judge in 10 cities around the country who were subjected to fast-track proceedings. It was canceled once after media reports telegraphing when and where it would begin, though Trump announced it would be postponed following a phone call with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who urged him to do so.

The second effort began July 14 and again was met with media attention noting where and when it was to start, including from Trump who announced the date.

Albence conceded the number was lower than other operations. A similar operation in August 2017 netted 650 arrests over four days, including 73 family members and 120 who entered illegally as children. There were 457 others encountered during this operation also arrested.

Albence said Trump's comments didn't hurt the effort because it had already been the subject of media reports for weeks.

Part of the reason other operations were more successful is because they were “done without a lot of fanfare and media attention,” Albence said.

Another factor was weather. Operations were suspended in New Orleans because of Hurricane Barry.

Those arrested were awaiting deportation. In the budget year 2018, there were 256,086 people deported, an increase of 13%.