ICE announced the arrest of 24 immigration violators, including a suspected MS-13 gang member, according to a press release.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers conducted a targeted operation in Bellefonte on August 19, resulting in the arrest of Oscar Alexis Martinez-Lopez, a Salvadoran resident who had previously been arrested in El Salvador for homicide. According to the ICE announcement, he is also accused of being an MS-13 member.
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In addition to Martinez-Lopez, Honduran citizen Delfin Amaya-Peres was discovered to have a criminal record that included convictions for assault, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest in 2011.
“ICE is focusing on the worst first through targeted enforcement. However, it is also a crime to live in this country illegally,” ERO Philadelphia Field Office Director Brian McShane said. “Knowing this, ICE has been empowered to vigorously search out, arrest and remove anyone violating federal immigration law.”
According to ICE, the operation along Interstate 99 followed an investigation that revealed many immigration law offenders suspected of dwelling at a specific address. Following their departure, the individuals were apprehended via traffic checkpoints, leading to their arrests.
The following people were arrested:
- One convicted of assault
- One identified as an MS-13 gang member and homicide suspect in El Salvador
- Seven with final orders of removal, four of whose orders were reinstated. Four previously expelled under Title 42
Rep. Paul Takac (D-82) stated that his “focus” was to guarantee that the accused foreigners received “due process” and were not pushed through the legal system. Takac also stated that the governor’s administration acknowledged no state police involvement with ICE or these arrests.
Members of the public with knowledge can report crimes or suspicious activities by calling the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or filling out the online tip form.
