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MIAMI – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested 314 criminal aliens last month in an enforcement action targeting individuals who pose a threat to public safety. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers made the arrests across the state of Florida. If you or a loved one has been affected by this then you may want to contact criminal attorneys to help keep your freedom.

All of those arrested by ICE during the enforcement action, which concluded Sept. 29, met at least one of the agency’s three enforcement priorities. Over one quarter had criminal records that included felony convictions for serious or violent offenses, such as murder, attempted murder, child sex crimes, sex offenses, weapons charges and drug violations.

“As this operation makes clear, ICE is committed to prioritizing convicted criminals and those who are public safety threats for apprehension and removal,” said Marc J. Moore, field office director for the Miami Field Office of ERO, which oversees all of Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Our communities are safer today thanks to the hard work of our officers across the state.”

Sixteen of those detained during the three week enforcement action are previously removed individuals who are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for felony re-entry after deportation.

During the three week operation, ERO was supported by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the U.S. Marshal’s Service.

The arrests were made in the Florida counties of: Miami-Dade (81), Broward (62), Martin (34), Palm Beach (31), Hillsborough (29), St. Lucie (13), Pinellas (9), Osceola (7), Indian River, Manatee (6), Duval, Suwannee (4), Volusia, Lake, Hardee (3), Marion, Orange, Sarasota, Alachua (2), Okeechobee, Seminole, Polk, Sumter, Henry, Brevard, Clay, Lee, Desoto, Collier and Hendry (1).

Some examples of arrests from the action include:

On Sept. 10, ERO officers arrested a Cuban citizen in Tampa who is a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. In June, the subject was convicted of Lewd and or Lascivious Act on a minor and was sentenced to eight years of probation. The subject is currently pending a removal hearing by an immigration judge.

ERO officers arrested a Jamaican citizen in West Palm Beach Sept. 15 who has been a lawful permanent resident since 1972. The subject pleaded guilty for murder, was sentenced to 10 years deferred adjudication and placed on community supervision. The subject is currently pending removal proceedings before an immigration judge.

A Mexican citizen in the Doral area was arrested by ERO officers Sept. 18. The subject was previously convicted in Los Angeles for enticement of a minor for prostitution and procurement for prostitution (pimping) in 2010, The subject was sentenced to three years’ probation and served two months in prison. The subject is now in ICE custody pending removal.

On Sept. 18, ERO officers arrested a Peruvian citizen in Hialeah who is a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. In August the subject was convicted of sexual battery on a minor and was sentenced to 10 years of probation. The subject is currently pending a removal hearing by an immigration judge.

ERO officers arrested a Mexican citizen in Wauchula Sept. 25. In August, the subject was convicted of lewd conduct and was sentenced to four years of community control. The subject was issued an administrative order of removal and subsequently removed to Mexico Oct. 1.

Those arrested represented many countries throughout the world, including: Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Guyana, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Jamaica, Ukraine, Bahamas, Trinidad, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts, Turks & Caicos, Antigua, Cuba, Canada, Czech Republic, Romania, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Latvia, Greece and Egypt.

ERO coordinates the removal of criminals, foreign fugitives and others ordered deported. ICE is focused on smart and effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes its resources based on those who pose the biggest threat to national security, border security and public safety. ICE’s civil enforcement efforts are based on priorities set by the Secretary of Homeland Security in November 2014.