BELLEFONTE, PA – Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted an operation in Centre County earlier in August, where the agency reportedly apprehended two dozen illegal immigrants, one of which is allegedly a member of MS-13.
In a press release from ICE, the agency detailed an August 19th endeavor out of Bellefonte where Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers “conducted a targeted enforcement operation” that saw 24 individuals being taken into custody over various alleged violations of immigration law.
ICE ERO officers were reportedly focused in on an unspecified residence of sorts located near Interstate 99 in Bellefonte, where the agency “identified multiple immigration law violators suspected of temporarily residing at the location.”
One by one, immigration officials conducted traffic stops of the suspects after they were observed leaving the residence, leading to the two dozen apprehensions.
One individual of note taken into custody during the operation was identified as Oscar Alexis Martinez-Lopez, an alleged member of MS-13 who illegally immigrated into the country from El Salvador and also has a past arrest in his home country for murder.
The agency also highlighted the apprehension of Honduran national Delfin Amaya-Peres, an illegal alien with prior criminal convictions stateside dating back to 2011 for assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Among the other suspects apprehended, ICE noted seven of them were already issued final orders of removal in past immigration proceedings, as well as four individuals who were previously expelled from the country under Title 42.
ICE ERO Philadelphia Field Office Director Brian McShane issued a statement following the successful operation, emphasizing the agency’s effort to crack down on the “worst first,”.
It was, however, noted that the aforementioned priority doesn’t absolve all other immigration violators devoid of serious criminal convictions or gang affiliations.
“ICE is focusing on the worst first through targeted enforcement. However, it is also a crime to live in this country illegally,” Director McShane stated, adding, “Knowing this, ICE has been empowered to vigorously search out, arrest and remove anyone violating federal immigration law.”
In a press release from ICE, the agency detailed an August 19th endeavor out of Bellefonte where Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers “conducted a targeted enforcement operation” that saw 24 individuals being taken into custody over various alleged violations of immigration law.
ICE ERO officers were reportedly focused in on an unspecified residence of sorts located near Interstate 99 in Bellefonte, where the agency “identified multiple immigration law violators suspected of temporarily residing at the location.”
One by one, immigration officials conducted traffic stops of the suspects after they were observed leaving the residence, leading to the two dozen apprehensions.
One individual of note taken into custody during the operation was identified as Oscar Alexis Martinez-Lopez, an alleged member of MS-13 who illegally immigrated into the country from El Salvador and also has a past arrest in his home country for murder.
The agency also highlighted the apprehension of Honduran national Delfin Amaya-Peres, an illegal alien with prior criminal convictions stateside dating back to 2011 for assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Among the other suspects apprehended, ICE noted seven of them were already issued final orders of removal in past immigration proceedings, as well as four individuals who were previously expelled from the country under Title 42.
ICE ERO Philadelphia Field Office Director Brian McShane issued a statement following the successful operation, emphasizing the agency’s effort to crack down on the “worst first,”.
It was, however, noted that the aforementioned priority doesn’t absolve all other immigration violators devoid of serious criminal convictions or gang affiliations.
“ICE is focusing on the worst first through targeted enforcement. However, it is also a crime to live in this country illegally,” Director McShane stated, adding, “Knowing this, ICE has been empowered to vigorously search out, arrest and remove anyone violating federal immigration law.”
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments
2025-08-29T13:55-0400 | Comment by: Phil
Excellent work ICE, keep it up. Build the Wall high wide and electrified and Deport Them All