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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested a former contestant on Latvia’s version of “Dancing with the Stars” who authorities say overstayed his visa and has a criminal history that includes aggravated assault with a gun, sexual battery and drug-related offenses.
ICE announced Friday that agents arrested Roberts Nemiro, a Latvian national, in San Francisco on Tuesday after a referral from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Nemiro is in removal proceedings after remaining in the United States beyond the expiration of his visa.
Nemiro appeared on “Dejo ar zvaigzni!,” the Latvian adaptation of the British television series “Strictly Come Dancing,” better known in the U.S. as “Dancing with the Stars.”
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According to DHS, Nemiro entered the United States on a visa in October 2011 but remained in the country after it expired in August 2012. The agency said his criminal history includes convictions for aggravated assault of a non-family member with a gun and disorderly conduct.
DHS also said he has been arrested on charges of battery, sexual battery, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
“This illegal alien from Latvia may have once had a career as a professional dancer on TV, but has turned into a career criminal with a rap sheet that includes aggravated assault with a gun, sexual battery, and drug possession,” DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement.
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“Despite California being a sanctuary state, ICE was able to arrest this criminal and get him off our streets, and he will soon be deported from our country. ICE is bringing the curtain down on his illegal stay and crime spree here in the U.S.,” Bis added.
The arrest comes as the Trump administration continues to highlight immigration enforcement efforts involving noncitizens accused or convicted of violent crimes while criticizing California’s sanctuary policies.
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In Friday’s release, DHS cited several recent cases involving illegal immigrants arrested or sought by ICE in California and argued that the state’s sanctuary policies have hindered federal immigration enforcement.
A representative for ICE did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for additional information.
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