ICE Operation In North Haven Leads To Arrest

NORTH HAVEN, CT — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said they conducted an operation in North Haven Wednesday and arrested a man from Ecuador who was in the country illegally.

Agents with ICE’s Boston office arrested Nerio Tello-Cardenas on May 20, ICE confirmed Friday.

“Tello-Cardenas entered the United States illegally in 1999, remaining in this country for nearly 27 years in violation of U.S. law,” an ICE spokesperson said, in an emailed statement Friday.

The agency said it encourages anyone in the country illegally to “take control of their departure” with the CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) Home App.

According to ICE, the U.S. is offering those in the country illegally $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport.

“We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream,” an ICE spokesperson said, via email Friday. “If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”

WTNH reported Tello-Cardenas was among six people detained by ICE, though ICE officials did not independently confirm any additional arrests as of Friday.

WTNH interviewed the man’s family about his efforts in recent years to become a U.S. citizen and their current efforts to get him back. Read the WTNH story HERE.