U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained a record number of illegal immigrants in an operation targeting public safety in South Texas. A total of 238 individuals were arrested in the single-day operation conducted by the Harlingen field office on June 18.
ICE stated that this targeted operation in the Rio Grande Valley resulted in the highest number of arrests in a single day in the region. Among those arrested were individuals convicted of various crimes, including attempted kidnapping, sexual assault, and drug possession.
ICE Harlingen Field Office Director Juan Agudelo said, "The ICE mission continues to focus on enhancing public safety and restoring the integrity of our nation's immigration system." Agudelo added, "We will stop at nothing to keep American communities safe by removing one criminal illegal immigrant at a time."
Among those detained in the operation was Mexican national Manuel Morales-Geronimo, identified as a member of the Paisas gang. Morales-Geronimo had previous convictions for bodily injury, drug possession, marijuana possession, driving under the influence, illegal entry into the U.S., and three counts of illegal re-entry.
Another detainee was Mexican national Jose Alfredo Castillo-Mendoza. Castillo-Mendoza had a criminal record for attempted kidnapping, sexual assault, and illegal re-entry.
Trump Backs ICE Operations
The operation took place as the Trump administration continues its crackdown on illegal immigration and criminal immigrants. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump reacted on social media to news that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was halting most ICE traffic stops.
Trump posted, "We cannot give up TRAFFIC STOPS, one of ICE's most important and effective crime-fighting tools!" The president argued that the DHS policy change would "play into the hands of criminals" and stressed the need to preserve ICE's operational capabilities.
