Federal immigration authorities had a busy Independence Day weekend, arresting illegal immigrants all over the country, including some with convictions for murder, burglary and child sex crimes, during a holiday sweep.
The arrests came as many Americans were celebrating the nation's 250th birthday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said last 6 July.
"While Americans celebrated the 250th anniversary of the greatest nation on Earth, the brave men and women of ICE were arresting the worst of the worst, including multiple murderers, pedophiles, rapists, kidnappers, drunk drivers, drug traffickers, and other dangerous public safety threats," said DHS acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. "Our law enforcement officers work around the clock, even on holidays, to make our communities safer."
Bis noted that under President Donald Trump, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has hired 12,000 new officers and agents in less than a year, more than doubling the agency's workforce.
"Thanks to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, we have an additional 12,000 ICE officers who will continue delivering on the American people’s mandate to make our nation SAFE AGAIN," she said.
Those arrested over the weekend included Radimir Thompson-Nagle, a Panamanian citizen with criminal convictions for murder and assault in Brooklyn, New York, ICE said.
Francisco Olmedo-Silva, from Mexico, has convictions spanning Oregon, Wyoming and Pennsylvania for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, escaping from custody and robbery.
Pedro Mazorra-Herrera, from Cuba, was convicted of aggravated stalking, resisting an officer with violence, burglary with assault or battery and cocaine possession in Miami, Florida.