One of the things we are seeing with the new President of the Unites States, is a big change in how immigration agencies are treating non-citizens who have criminal cases.  Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been emboldened by a president who has committed to deport criminal immigrants, and build a wall to keep them out.  

According to a recent article in the Kent Reporter, nineteen ICE arrests were recently made in King County, including the communities of Kent, Bellevue, Federal Way, Renton, SeaTac, Seattle, South Park, Lynnwood and Kirkland.

Eighty-four arrests were made March 25-27 in the three state area of Alaska, Oregon, and Washington according to an ICE media release.

Of those arrested during the enforcement action which ended Monday, 60 had criminal histories, including prior convictions for sex crimes, drug offenses, and domestic violence. In addition to the pending child rape charge, the Mexican national referenced above had prior convictions for assault, domestic violence, and immoral communications with a minor. 

Some of the crimes that the persons were alleged to have committed were:  

Driving under the influence
Weapon offense
Assault
Stolen property
Larceny
Dangerous drugs
Domestic violence
Lewd or lascivious acts with minor
Sex Assault
Damage property
Larceny from building
Drug trafficking
Cocaine possession
Sex assault carnal abuse
Possession of weapon
Marijuana possession
Amphetamine possession
Illegal entry
Fraud
Traffic offense other
Violation of a court order
Cocaine sell
Heroin possession
Meth possession
Indecent liberty with a minor
Forgery

While some of these crimes are serious, some are quite minor.  It is important to ensure that any criminal case is handled with the assistance of knowledgeable criminal attorney, like those at Newton & Hall, who regularly work with immigration attorneys to ensure that our client's criminal problems, don't become immigration problems.

According to ICE, some of the individuals arrested during the enforcement action will be presented for federal prosecution for re-entry after deportation, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Those not being criminally prosecuted will be processed for removal from the country. Individuals who have outstanding orders of deportation, or who returned to the United States illegally after being deported, are subject to immediate removal from the country.