(The Center Square) – Immigration and Customs Enforcement and law enforcement partners “apprehended 214 illegal aliens” in Virginia as part of a targeted operation, which included the apprehension of “dangerous” gang members and convicted murderer.
The operation focused on “transnational organized crime, gangs, and egregious illegal alien offenders” in Northern Virginia between March 1 and 13. The arrests included individuals allegedly connected to “notorious MS-13 and 18th Street gangs.”
ICE says they arrested several Salvadoran foreign nations with alleged ties to the Salvadoran gang MS-13, including individuals previously convicted of malicious wounding, larceny and weapons charges. In addition, officials said they arrested a Jamaican “alien,” who had previously been convicted of second-degree murder and “use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.”
ICE is touting the operation, which includes state and local partners.
“The agents and officers involved in this enhanced operation truly made a difference in the Northern Virginia communities. The apprehension of 214 alien offenders is impressive and was only made possible through strong partnerships,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Heck. “The level of dedication to this operation by the entire team was impressive to witness. Each of our law enforcement partners brought their own expertise to the mission. This was truly a team effort.”
The arrests come less than a month after Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order directing state law enforcement and corrections officers to assist with federal immigration enforcement, underscoring that “Virginia is not a sanctuary state.”
The executive order paved the way for deputizing Virginia State Police and corrections officers to assist in federal immigration enforcement, citing Section 287(g), which allows state and local law enforcement officials to be deputized to support federal immigration enforcement.
ICE credited the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Attorney General, Virginia State Police and Virginia Department of Corrections for partnering in the apprehension of the individuals.
