Spotlight on Idaho U.S. Attorney’s Criminal Immigration Program

BOISE – “The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho is committed to using its prosecutorial resources to address the most significant threats to public safety and border security in the most effective, consistent, and rational way,” announced Acting United States Attorney Rafael Gonzalez. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prioritizes the prosecution of criminal aliens who return illegally and continue to commit crimes after having been convicted and removed.

The Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) section of the Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and other components of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), refer matters for criminal prosecution to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Immigration Crimes Coordinator then reviews the matters for prosecution. Over the past ten years, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has, on average, prosecuted 80 criminal immigration cases each year. This number includes prosecutions of criminal aliens who have illegally returned following conviction and removal, and prosecutions of aliens who possessed or used fraudulent immigration documentation while in the United States.

According to DHS, in fiscal year 2016, approximately 240,255 aliens were removed from the United States. Those removals included individuals apprehended in the interior of the United States, as well as those encountered at or near the border or ports of entry. For illegal aliens apprehended in the interior of the country, more than 90 percent had previously been convicted of a crime.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with its main criminal law enforcement partner, ICE ERO, will vigorously pursue criminal charges against criminal aliens, focusing on those who threaten the safety of our community,” Gonzalez said.