WASHINGTON – Federal immigration officers arrested more than 1,300 illegal aliens during a sweeping two-week enforcement operation across Virginia and Maryland, including people accused or convicted of murder, kidnapping, sexual offenses, drunk driving, robbery and other crimes, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers made 1,328 arrests between August 1 and August 14 as part of “Operation Safe Community – Washington, D.C.”
DHS said nearly 400 of those arrested had either been convicted of crimes or faced criminal charges in the United States.
The operation was concentrated largely in communities surrounding Washington, D.C., but ICE officers also carried out targeted enforcement actions elsewhere in Virginia and Maryland.
Federal officials said the arrests included members of transnational gangs such as MS-13, the 18th Street Gang and Tren de Aragua.
The latest operation comes as the Trump administration continues a nationwide immigration enforcement campaign. Earlier this year, NorthIowaToday.com reported on DHS claims of sharply increased immigration arrests, deportations and gang-member arrests across the country.
Among those arrested in the Washington-area operation was Eygner Wilfredo Huezo-Moran of El Salvador.
DHS said Huezo-Moran was wanted in Richmond, Virginia, on allegations of murder and use of a firearm in the commission of murder. ICE officers and U.S. Marshals arrested him in Chesterfield, Virginia, before turning him over to local authorities to face the criminal case.
ICE also lodged an immigration detainer against him and said removal proceedings are expected after the criminal matter is resolved.
Actionel Pierre, a Haitian national, was arrested in Wicomico County, Maryland. DHS said his criminal history includes arrests for attempted murder, assault, possession of a dangerous weapon with intent to injure and reckless endangerment.
Estrella Reyes-Funez of Honduras was arrested in Harrisonburg, Virginia. According to DHS, Reyes-Funez had been convicted of felony hit-and-run and previously arrested on allegations including threatening to bomb or burn property, assault and battery against a family member and violating a protective order.
ICE officers also arrested German Mejia-Baires of El Salvador in Manassas, Virginia.
DHS identified Mejia-Baires as an MS-13 gang member and said his record includes convictions for driving while intoxicated, driving with a suspended license and illegal reentry. He had also been arrested on allegations of felony malicious wounding and shoplifting.
Another alleged MS-13 member, Mauricio Antonio Barrera-Navidad of El Salvador, was arrested in Hyattsville, Maryland.
Federal officials said his criminal history in El Salvador includes robbery, unlawful firearm possession and offenses connected to alleged MS-13 activity.
Angel Gabriel Ortiz-Hernandez of Guatemala was arrested in Alexandria, Virginia. DHS said his criminal history includes arrests for rape of a mentally incapacitated victim and two counts of aggravated sexual battery involving an incapacitated victim.
Rowan Andrew Brown of Jamaica was also arrested in Alexandria. Federal officials said Brown had convictions for identity theft, kidnapping and illegal reentry, along with an arrest for fraud.
Ronaldo Ronel Perez-Perez of Guatemala was arrested in Richmond. According to DHS, his record includes two convictions for driving while intoxicated, hit-and-run and illegal reentry, as well as an arrest involving an allegation of forcible sexual penetration.
Julio Hector Carranza-Rojano of Mexico was arrested in Manassas. DHS said Carranza-Rojano had convictions for sexual battery, driving while intoxicated and hit-and-run.
Most of those highlighted by DHS are being held in ICE custody while removal proceedings or deportation are pending.
The operation also illustrates the administration’s continued emphasis on immigration detainers and transfers from local jails to federal custody. Similar immigration holds have surfaced in Northern Iowa cases, including a Charles City OWI suspect who was later held on an ICE detainer.
Federal immigration prosecutions have also resulted in prison sentences in Iowa. Earlier this month, NIT reported on a previously deported Mexican national who was found in Iowa after illegally returning to the United States and was sentenced in federal court.
In another Northern Iowa case, a previously deported drug trafficker discovered in Howard County received a federal prison sentence for illegal reentry.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin praised ICE officers following the Washington-area operation, saying the arrests removed offenders with serious criminal histories from American communities.
ICE officials likewise said the operation demonstrated the agency’s ability to locate individuals targeted for immigration enforcement even in jurisdictions where local policies limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Operation Safe Community – Washington, D.C. followed a similar enforcement campaign in Georgia in July, where DHS said ICE officers arrested more than 1,200 illegal aliens during Operation Safe Community – Atlanta.
The criminal allegations described by DHS remain accusations unless and until the individuals involved are convicted in court. Immigration proceedings are civil matters separate from criminal prosecutions.