BP agents identify 10 criminals attempting to enter U.S. (KVOA-AZ)

BP agents identify 10 criminals attempting to enter U.S.
Posted: Jun 6, 2011 4:19 PM

TUCSON - Ten criminals, including eight from dangerous Mexican street gangs, were arrested while attempting to enter the United States illegally over the weekend.

A release from Customs and Border Protection states that using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System, Border Patrol agents in the Tucson sector found one illegal immigrant had a felony conviction for rape, and another had an outstanding arrest warrant for sexual assault.

Using the IAFIS and other gathered intelligence, it was discovered that eight of the criminals in custody had affiliations with street gangs such as Mara Salvatrucha, Surenos, and 18th Street, officials say.

CBP says that prosecution will be sought for seven of the 10 illegal immigrants, and the remaining three will be placed into "appropriate consequence programs."

"Tools such as IAFIS ensure illegal aliens who are in custody with dangerous criminal backgrounds are identified and face the appropriate consequence," CBP officials say. "The Border Patrol continues to protect our nation's borders by arresting those who enter illegally."