U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Operation
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have taken hundreds of undocumented immigrants into custody across Houston over the last week. A total of 646 people were arrested in the Houston area during the week-long operation aimed at enhancing public safety and national security. The operation was in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Operation Details
The operation, which took place from Feb. 23 to March 2, resulted in the arrest of 543 criminal aliens and seven documented gang members, ICE officers confirmed. ICE and its partners executed 71 criminal arrest warrants and detained 543 undocumented individuals charged or convicted of criminal offenses while illegally present in the U.S.
Types of Arrests Made
The arrests included:
- 140 people charged or convicted of aggravated felonies or violent offenses, including homicide, aggravated assault, and domestic violence.
- 34 people charged or convicted of sex offenses or child sex offenses, such as aggravated sexual assault of a minor and possession of child pornography.
- 38 people convicted of illegal firearms offenses, including unlawful carrying of a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm.
- 52 people charged or convicted of narcotics offenses, such as drug trafficking and possession of a controlled substance.
- 51 people charged or convicted of property crimes, including burglary and theft.
- 93 people charged or convicted of driving while intoxicated.
Statement from ICE Official
In a press release announcing the completion of the operation, Bret Bradford, who serves as the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director, emphasized the significance of the operation. “In recent years, some of the world’s most dangerous fugitives, transnational gang members, and criminal aliens have taken advantage of the crisis at our nation’s southern border to illegally enter the U.S.,” Bradford said. “After illegally entering the country, many of these criminal aliens have gone on to commit violent crime and reign terror on law-abiding residents.”
Conclusion
According to ICE officials, these operations underscore the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in the Texas Gulf Coast to enhance community safety and address crime. The operation highlights the importance of cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in keeping communities safe and upholding the law. By targeting and arresting individuals who have committed serious crimes, ICE and its partners aim to reduce crime and protect the public.
