Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed on Tuesday that 5,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested since June in Los Angeles, California, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol.
In a Tuesday press release, Noem said, “Today, DHS law enforcement made its 5,000th arrest in Los Angeles. That’s 5,000 criminal illegal aliens, gang members, child predators, and murderers taken off our streets. Precious lives saved. Families protected. American taxpayers spared the cost of their crimes AND the burden of their benefits.”
“THANK YOU to our brave law enforcement officers,” Noem added. “Make no mistake: if you are here illegally, we will find you, arrest you, and send you back. This is just the beginning.”
The Department of Homeland Security explained in Tuesday’s press release that Border Patrol and ICE have taken steps to fulfill President Donald Trump’s promise to have the “worst of the worst” illegal immigrant criminals removed from communities across the United States. The department noted that its operations have persisted despite politicians who support illegal immigrants and violent rioters repeatedly threatening law enforcement officials and attempting to obstruct law enforcement operations.
READ MORE: 5,000 illegal immigrants arrested in Los Angeles since June, Top Trump official says
According to the press release, the 5,000th illegal immigrant arrested in Los Angeles by the Department of Homeland Security has been identified as Gustavo Garcia-Miranda, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico. The Department of Homeland Security explained that Garcia-Miranda, who is an aggravated felon and a convicted drug trafficker, previously entered the United States illegally in 2008 and was arrested for “illegal re-entry” by Border Patrol officials.
“Secretary Noem has been clear: LA rioters would not stop DHS or slow us down,” the Department of Homeland Security stated. “Our law enforcement will continue to enforce the law. And anyone who lays a hand on a law enforcement officer, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
A video shared Tuesday evening by the Department of Homeland Security shows many of the illegal immigrants arrested by ICE and Border Patrol in Los Angeles over the past couple of months.
