SAN DIEGO — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrests of four undocumented immigrants in San Diego, all of whom have previous convictions for sex crimes against children.

In an exclusive sit-down interview with ABC 10News, Patrick Divver, Field Office Director for Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) San Diego, called the arrests a top priority.

“We are targeting the worst of the worst, and I can’t think of anything worse than someone who violates a child,” Divver said.

Officials say the crimes tied to these individuals span across the country, with at least one case happening locally in San Diego.

Among those arrested was Eduardo Negrete, taken into custody in an Encanto neighborhood, just blocks away from Encanto Elementary School. According to Megan’s Law records, Negrete was convicted in 2013 for lewd acts with a child under 14. ABC 10News also found court documents confirming a man with the same name was convicted in San Diego that year.

Divver explained that state laws, such as SB 54, which limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, previously prevented ICE from identifying Negrete’s immigration status.

“Unfortunately, due to SB 54, we weren’t able to ever interview this individual,” Divver said. “Because we had no footprint, we couldn’t interview him, which means we could never determine whether he was in the country illegally or not.”

Divver, who spoke on camera with ABC 10News for the first time since taking his position, said public safety and officer safety are his highest priorities during these types of enforcement actions.

“I want to make sure my officers are safe. They’re able to secure the scene, make the arrests safely and effectively — and come home safe,” he said.

Moving forward, ICE says those arrested will remain in their custody until travel forms are completed for their removal.

“Not only are we able to remove a criminal from the community, we’re able to remove that criminal from the United States altogether,” Divver said. “So they’re not able to remain in the community to reoffend or revictimize any of their victims.”