A coordinated federal operation on Canal Street in New York City led to the arrest of nine illegal aliens with extensive criminal records. This enforcement action, conducted on March 24, 2023, involved multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The arrests were part of a larger effort targeting illegal vendors in the area, known for selling counterfeit merchandise. According to DHS, the individuals apprehended had significant criminal histories, which included charges such as robbery, domestic violence, and drug trafficking. Many of those arrested had prior interactions with law enforcement on various offenses.
Among the arrested individuals was Mamadou Ndoye, originally from Mali. He had received a final order of removal from an immigration judge in 2008 and faced multiple arrests for serious crimes, including assault and drug-related offenses. Another individual, Muhammad Ndiaye, from Senegal, had a record that included domestic violence and robbery. He entered the United States on a B2 tourist visa in 1995, which expired long ago.
The operation also saw the arrest of Bokar Soko, a Mauritanian national who had been apprehended three times for counterfeiting. He had entered the United States illegally in May 2023 and was part of a larger group of 26 individuals released into the country by the Biden Administration.
In a statement, Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for DHS, emphasized that more than half of those arrested had entered the country illegally and had been released under current immigration policies. During the operation, four individuals with violent backgrounds were also detained for assaulting law enforcement, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing illegal immigration and criminal activity.
McLaughlin’s comments underscore the administration’s commitment to addressing illegal immigration and the associated criminal threats. She stated, “Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.”
The operation on Canal Street reflects a heightened focus on enforcement amid growing concerns over the presence of individuals with serious criminal records in the United States. As federal agencies continue to collaborate in these efforts, the impact on local communities remains a significant consideration.
This coordinated action represents an ongoing strategy by federal authorities to remove individuals who pose a threat to public safety while balancing the complexities of immigration enforcement in a diverse urban environment.
