Operation Return to Sender
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Operation Return to Sender is the name for a massive sweep of illegal immigrants by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency that began on May 26, 2006.
The campaign has focused on individuals deemed to be the most dangerous, including convicted felons and gang members, particularly those of the notorious Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang, as well as repeat offenders, some of whom had already been deported. As of mid-June 2006, over 2,000 illegal immigrants had been arrested, over 800 of whom were deported.
Although ICE publicly says they are targeting criminals, not everyone deported is a "dangerous" criminal. For example, on Friday Sept. 8, 2006 ICE picked up people in Santa Cruz, CA who were brought into the US by their parents years ago. In one case, ICE took a husband and wife at 5AM and left their 13-year-old daughter with her 19-year-old sister.[citation needed]
On Sept. 19, 2006 ICE also picked up and arrested 11 immigrants in Danbury, CT who came to be known as "The Danbury 11." 4 of the 11 were later released.
[edit] References
- "Agency Nabs Illegal Immigrants Across U.S." - Associated Press, June 14, 2006.
- "Boston Among Cities In Illegal Immigrant Blitz" - Associated Press, June 14, 2006.
- "ICE Press Release on Operation Return to Sender" June 14, 2006.
