ICE Houston arrests 422 illegal aliens, deports 528 during week-long operation aimed at bolstering public safety

HOUSTON - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 422 illegal aliens, including 296 criminal aliens, and deported 528 aliens during a seven-day operation from May 4 – May 10 focused on bolstering public safety in the Houston area.

“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.,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “After illegally entering the country, these violent criminal aliens have infiltrated our local communities and reigned terror on law-abiding residents leaving countless innocent victims in their wake. Fueled by our unwavering commitment to protect the public from harm, and united in our determination to re-establish sovereignty over our southern border, the law enforcement community in Texas has banded together to remove these dangerous criminals from our country and restore law and order in our communities.”

Among the criminal aliens arrested during the operation included:

• A 46-year-old criminal alien from Colombia arrested May 7 who has been convicted in Colombia of homicide and providing false information to law enforcement.
• A 40-year-old three-time deported criminal alien from Mexico arrested May 8 who has been convicted three times for possession of a controlled substance, twice for illegal discharge of a firearm, and once each for arson, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, illegal entry, criminal mischief, and driving while intoxicated.
• A 32-year-old five-time deported criminal alien from Mexico arrested May 7 who has been convicted twice for burglary, larceny, and illegal reentry, and once for aggravated assault.
• A 45-year-old criminal alien from Mexico arrested May 5 who has been convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor.
• A 72-year-old criminal alien from Mexico arrested May 6 who has been convicted of homicide, robbery, shoplifting, assault, and carrying a prohibited weapon.

The operation also prioritized removing aliens from the U.S. who have exhausted due process and been ordered removed from the country. To expedite the removal of these aliens, ICE Houston leveraged an initiative established under the current administration to funnel aliens to designated hubs on the southern border where they are quickly processed and removed to their country of origin within 24-72 hours of their arrest.

“This initiative will save taxpayers millions of dollars each year by significantly reducing the time that aliens who have exhausted due process and been ordered removed from the U.S. need to be in ICE custody,” said Bradford.

Numerous law enforcement agencies assisted ICE during the operation including U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Diplomatic Security Service; the FBI; the U.S. Marshals Service; and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Following the operation, several of their leaders explained why it’s important for area law enforcement agencies to work together.

“Illegal activities breed further crime, and our collaborative efforts through these enforcement operations have allowed us to do what the DEA does best, remove drugs off the streets that are devastating lives and dismantle drug networks, safeguarding our communities,” said DEA Houston Division Acting Special Agent in Charge William Kimbell. “These operations have allowed us to share our resources with our federal partners and expand our scope of DEA drug trafficking investigations to achieve the common goal of making communities safer.”

“The Diplomatic Security Service plays a critical role in the United States’ efforts to combat illegal immigration and dismantle those who seek to exploit the U.S. travel system.” said DSS Houston Field Office Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Joseph Burnette. “As a key partner in these operations, DSS works closely with domestic and international law enforcement agencies to investigate transnational crimes and apprehend fugitives who violate U.S. law—efforts that align directly with our mission and operational priorities.”

“This operation underscores the vital importance of collaboration across federal, state, and local agencies in protecting our communities,” said ATF Houston Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel. “By working together, we were able to identify and remove individuals who posed a clear threat to public safety. Our unified efforts send a strong message: dangerous criminal aliens will be held accountable, and public safety remains our top priority.”

“As part of our commitment to national security and lawful immigration enforcement, the CBP Air and Marine Operations Houston Air Branch is supporting the President’s executive order by transporting individuals subject to removal,” said CBP Air and Marine Operations Houston Air Branch Acting Director Jeremy D. Battenfield. “Our team is ensuring these operations are carried out safely, efficiently, and in full coordination with our federal partners.”

"FBI Houston has surged quite a bit of resources in the form of agents and intelligence to support and assist DHS/HSI/ICE in identifying and arresting violent and wanted individuals,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams. “Our intel support is as strong as our tactical support. By working together and sharing what we know with our partners, we have been able to prioritize the worst of the worst criminals, and that’s what we will continue to do.”

Members of the public can report crime and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form.

To learn more about ERO’s missions and operations, follow us on X: @ICEgovERO.

Download b-roll of an arrest made during the operation. Download b-roll of removal flights carried out during the operation.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)