By Jonathan Eberle |
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced Friday that 310 individuals were charged with immigration-related offenses between May 10 and May 16, as part of a weeklong federal enforcement initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and associated criminal activity.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the charges include 125 cases involving illegal reentry into the United States and 170 cases of illegal entry. An additional 15 individuals were charged with human smuggling offenses, allegedly transporting undocumented immigrants into or within Arizona.
The enforcement actions were supported by a broad coalition of federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
All charges were filed via criminal complaint. As noted in the release, a criminal complaint is a formal accusation and does not imply guilt; individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The cases fall under Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative described as targeting illegal immigration, cartel activity, and transnational crime. The operation coordinates federal resources, including those from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Officials have characterized the initiative as part of a broader strategy to “repel the invasion of illegal immigration” and dismantle transnational criminal organizations. The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not indicate how many of those charged remain in custody or when initial court appearances are scheduled. Further proceedings will be held in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
