ICE officers arrest three people in McCook

MCCOOK, Neb. (KLKN) — On July 12, three undocumented persons were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in McCook.

Victor Baez-Esquivel, Melecio Soto-Villa and Diana Morales-Irigoyen are being held in Lincoln County Jail pending outcomes of removal proceedings.

All three stayed passed their visas and were arrested during targeted enforcement operations by ICE.

McCook Police Chief Kevin Hodgson said the department was not involved and did not participate in anything ICE officers were doing.

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson urges undocumented persons to take an offer from the United States.

“Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App,” said a DHS spokesperson. “The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now. 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. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”