More than 1,500 individuals suspected of being in the country illegally and with criminal histories were arrested during a 10-day enforcement operation across Southeast Texas, according to information released by the Houston branch of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The operation, carried out from October 22 to October 31, represents one of the largest recent coordinated efforts by the agency in the region.
Officials reported that among the 1,505 people taken into custody were individuals previously convicted of violent crimes, including homicide, sexual offenses against minors, and various forms of assault. Seventeen of those arrested were identified by authorities as gang members associated with groups such as MS-13 and the Mexican Mafia. In one case noted by officials, a suspected gang member attempted to hide inside a commercial building before being located and detained.
The arrests also included individuals classified as aggravated felons and others identified as sexual offenders. Among them was a man from Laos with a past conviction involving the sexual exploitation of a child and another individual from Honduras previously convicted of acts involving minors.
This operation follows others conducted in the Houston area earlier in the year. A week-long effort in early September resulted in approximately 822 arrests, while an operation in late February and early March led to just over 540 arrests. The October sweep represents a significant increase in enforcement activity.
The greater number of arrests comes during a period when federal immigration enforcement policies have shifted. Since the beginning of the year, immigration authorities in Southeast Texas have emphasized targeting individuals with criminal records or active warrants, prioritizing cases viewed as posing risks to public safety.
ICE stated that nearly one third of those arrested during the October operation have already completed immigration court proceedings and received orders for removal from the United States. Others are being processed through the legal system and will appear before immigration judges unless they are eligible for expedited removal.
The operation involved coordination between multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and others. Officials emphasized that such efforts are intended to reduce violence and prevent future crimes by identifying individuals considered threats to local communities.
Authorities noted that enforcement operations of this scale require extensive planning and carry significant risks to officers involved. They described the effort as part of ongoing attempts to address crimes associated with transnational gangs, repeat felony offenders, and individuals who have violated immigration laws while committing additional criminal offenses.
