NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested a man living in the US without permission after they say a New Jersey county jail ignored a request to detain him.
ICE says it filed an immigration detainer with the Somerset County Jail in 2014 to hold 61-year-old Savino Castro-Pena. But the agency says the jail released the Mexican citizen on Tuesday.
Immigration officers arrested him in Somerville, pending removal proceedings.
The agency says Castro-Pena faces sentencing after he was convicted of criminal aggravated assault, obstructing the administration of law and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose.
Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark field officer director John Tsoukaris says county jails that fail to work with ICE by releasing "criminal aliens" put their communities at serious risk.