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News from the Caribbean as of
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US Immigration arrests Caribbean nationals
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
by Ivan Cairo
Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent
Email: ivan@caribbeannetnews.com
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Last week, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained 37 foreign nationals in South Florida, including people from Jamaica, Haiti, and Suriname.
Although this report was confirmed on Thursday via telephone with acting Regional Communications Director Barbara Gonzalez, she could not provide information about the exact number of Caribbean persons detained or describe the charges against detainees.
In a press release, the ICE announced drug traffickers and murderers were among those detained. Arrests were made during an operation dubbed ''Safe Streets,'' which targeted violent foreign criminals living in South Florida.
All detainees face deportation orders to return to their various countries of Britain, Colombia, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.
Criminal histories of those arrested range from drug possession and aggravated assault to drug trafficking and murder. Currently, all 37 are in ICE custody awaiting the outcome of their cases.
Responding to questions from Caribbean Net News, Suriname’s Washington-based charge d’affairs, Henry MacDonald, stressed that the embassy was unaware of any arrests involving Surinamese nationals.
In usual circumstances, the diplomatic mission is informed about incidents if the individuals are being deported without possession of valid traveling documents.
Among those arrested was 32-year-old Maria Esther Jobert, a Haitian national convicted in Dade County for aggravated assault, criminal mischief, assault and battery on a law enforcement officer, and resisting arrest. She is a lawful permanent resident (LPR) who now faces deportation from the United States as a convicted felon.
"Having a legal status in this country does not give anyone the right to hurt the innocent," said Jesus Torres, special agent-in-charge of ICE in Miami. "We are committed to keeping our community safe and will continue to identify and arrest those who are a danger and removable.”
According to the ICE, these arrests came on the heels of a recent ICE announcement that 76 Mexican nationals were recently deported.
According to the ICE statement, the Mexicans were removed after an immigration judge ordered deportation and those expelled included criminals such as sex predators, drug smugglers, killers and kidnappers.
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