FIRST ON FOX: ICE quietly arrests jaw dropping number of illegal immigrants in massive DC area operation
In a concentrated two‑week enforcement action, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained 1,328 people who were in the United States without legal authorization across the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The sweep, carried out from Aug. 1 through Aug. 14, focused on suburban communities in Virginia and Maryland, jurisdictions that have policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
ICE officials described the effort, labeled “Operation Safe Community — Washington, D.C.,” as one of the most productive the agency has carried out in recent memory. The operation resulted in the arrest of individuals with a range of criminal backgrounds: almost 400 of those taken into custody had prior convictions or pending charges, including a Salvadoran national wanted in Richmond, Virginia, on a murder warrant. Additional offenses among those arrested included rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, driving under the influence, robbery and attempted murder.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin praised the work of ICE personnel in a statement. “The brave men and women of ICE are hard at work every single day getting these dangerous illegal aliens out of our country,” Mullin said. He added that, “over the course of just two weeks in Virginia and Maryland, they arrested sexual assailants, kidnappers, drunk drivers, robbers, and gang members.” The secretary also pointed to what he described as a contrast between federal enforcement priorities and local policies. “While sanctuary politicians in Virginia and Maryland keep putting the needs of illegal aliens over the safety of the American people, the Trump Administration will always put American citizens first,” he said.
The arrests took place in areas that have been identified by the Department of Homeland Security as experiencing higher rates of crime linked to individuals lacking legal status. In particular, Fairfax County, Virginia, and several Maryland counties have seen a surge in violent and sexual offenses involving such individuals, according to federal sources.
The operation reflects a broader push by the administration to increase immigration enforcement in regions where local governments have adopted more limited cooperation with federal agencies. By targeting both those with serious criminal histories and those without prior convictions, officials said the aim is to enhance public safety in the affected communities. “By arresting and removing illegal aliens from our communities, we will make America safe again,” Mullin concluded.
