A spokesperson with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has confirmed that 18 people who were taken into custody on April 27 as part of a major raid on an unlicensed Colorado Springs nightclub had previously been ordered to be deported.
According to the ICE spokesperson Thursday, 18 of the 104 individuals detained in the raid were “subject to a final order of removal.”
The ICE website states: Once an individual receives a final order, ERO facilitates the individual’s safe return to his or her country of origin in accordance with U.S. immigration laws, as well as international commitments and any bilateral agreements which may be in place.
The ICE spokesperson declined to say whether the 18 had been deported, or if they had been sent to their country of origin. The Trump administration has actively sought other countries to take U.S. migrants, notably El Salvador.
Fourteen of the people with a deportation order had criminal charges or convictions, according to the ICE spokesperson. Among them, one was arrested on suspicion of theft of $100,000 to $1,000,000 as well as assault and drugging of a victim. Two are suspected of being part of the Sinaloa Cartel. One is accused of being part of a criminal ring involved in credit card skimming, fuel theft and illegal marijuana growing. Seven had DUI convictions.
One person is said to have entered ICE custody with 41 grams of methamphetamine in a body cavity.