South Mecklenburg News

Part of a targeted enforcement operation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Fugitive Operations Teams, arrested 12 immigrants in Mecklenburg County.

Originally, Mecklenburg police arrested six of the individuals after allegedly committing crimes in their jurisdiction.

ICE issued detainers to keep the offenders in local custody until handed over to ICE, the agency said in a Sept 28 release. Following non-cooperation policies enacted in 2019, local police released the suspects.

Charges among the six released included assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious bodily injury, assault on a woman, breaking and entering, and driving under the influence and larceny, ICE said in its release.

ICE has been at odds with several U.S. jurisdictions that don't follow the agency's detainer orders when it comes to holding immigrants who may be in the country illegally and are accused of a crime.  

"We are here because we cannot stand by idly while knowing the public is being misled about the role ICE plays in keeping the public safe," ICE Executive Associate Director Henry Lucero said in the release. "The fact is local policies prohibiting agencies from working with ICE put you in danger and waste police resources. The public should hold its leaders accountable and demand to know what type of criminals are being released from local custody instead of turned over to ICE."

Lucero praised local law enforcement agencies who do work with ICE and honor detainers.

"It is time to put aside the political rhetoric and look at the facts – and the fact is, people are hurt and victimized because of jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with ICE in what should be our shared mission to protect the public," Lucero said.

While this policy of non-cooperation remains in effect in Mecklenburg County, the community should expect to see a heightened visible presence from ICE while they endeavor to carry out U.S. immigration laws.