News Releases

ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending Sept. 23, 2011

Sept. 22, 2011 — ICE and US attorney return stolen paintings

Nearly seven decades after they were stolen by the Nazis, Julian Falat paintings "The Hunt" and "Off to the Hunt" were returned to the people of Poland. The repatriation took place during a ceremony at the Polish Consulate in New York. Full Story

Sept. 21, 2011 — 'Raza Unida' gang leader sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for racketeering

Rudy Rodriguez, a Raza Unida gang leader, was sentenced Sept. 21 to 324 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and 120 months for conspiracy to murder. The sentences resulted from an ongoing investigation - dubbed "Operation Prison Cell" - conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other law enforcement agencies. Full Story

Sept. 21, 2011 — Grocery store owners, food stamp recipient plead guilty in fraud case

The owners of a local grocery store and a food stamp recipient pleaded guilty on Wednesday to food stamp fraud, following an investigation by ICE HSI. The store owners gave Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients cash for their benefits, about 50 to 60 cents on the dollar, and kept the rest of the benefits for themselves. Full Story

Sept. 20, 2011 — microMEDIA Imaging Systems, Inc. becomes ICE IMAGE partner

microMEDIA Imaging Systems, Inc., based in Lake Success, N.Y., became a member of ICE's Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) this week. IMAGE is a voluntary program that allows private sector businesses to partner with ICE to reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents. Full Story

Sept. 19, 2011 — ICE combats maritime smuggling along the California coast

It's nearly a daily occurrence. Small, 30-foot fishing boats try to make their way to shore along the California coast. ICE HSI agents typically find two things onboard – thousands of pounds of dope or more than a dozen illegal aliens. Full Story