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The Department of Homeland Security of the United States (DHS) reported the arrest of several undocumented immigrants with serious criminal backgrounds, including two Cuban citizens detained in recent operations in Illinois and Florida.
According to the official statement, among the highlighted cases is Jesús Morales-Bonet, identified by the authorities as a Cuban citizen in an irregular situation.
The man was convicted in Chicago, Illinois, for murder, conspiracy to commit contract murder, drug trafficking, and escaping from a correctional institution.
Jorge Martínez-Casado was also arrested, similarly described as an irregular Cuban immigrant, convicted in Miami, Florida, for assaulting a law enforcement officer, correctional personnel, firefighters, or public transport workers.
The authorities did not specify the date of entry of both individuals into the United States nor whether they had faced previous deportation processes.
The DHS indicated that the operations are part of the strategy announced by President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address, in which he stated that the "first obligation" of the Government is to protect American citizens.
Deputy Undersecretary Lauren Bis stated that the administration will continue to prioritize the apprehension and deportation of immigrants with felony convictions.
"We will not stop fighting for the arrest and deportation of illegal criminals who have no right to be in our country," he stated.
In addition to the two Cubans, the statement mentions arrests of citizens from Sudan, Micronesia, and Mexico, convicted of offenses that include sexual abuse against minors, incest, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The announcement comes amid the national debate on immigration policies and the so-called "sanctuary cities," whose leaders have been criticized by the current administration for limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The DHS has launched a website where citizens can check recent arrests related to public safety threats.
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