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1,300+ arrested in ICE operation throughout Maryland and Virginia
More than 1,300 undocumented immigrants were arrested during a massive ICE operation in Maryland and Virginia.
WASHINGTON - More than 1,300 undocumented immigrants were arrested during a two-week ICE operation in Maryland and Virginia, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
What we know:
"Operation Safe Community - Washington, D.C.," which took place between Aug. 1 and Aug. 14, led to the arrests of 1,328 people, some of whom had criminal histories that include kidnapping, hit-and-run, identity theft and murder.
Of the total arrests, nearly 400 people were convicted or charged with crimes in the U.S. Some were members of trans-national street gangs like MS-13, 18th Street Gang and Tren de Aragua, according to DHS.
DHS said the arrests were made despite sanctuary policies in effect in some Maryland and Virginia counties.
During the operation, ICE arrested a Salvadoran national with a warrant for murder, a Haitian national with a criminal history of attempted murder and assault, and a Honduran native convicted of felony hit-and-run.
Dig deeper:
Operation Safe Community ICE Arrest
The following people were also arrested during the ICE operation:
Eygner Wilfredo Huezo-Moran was arrested in Chesterfield, Virginia. He was turned over to local police to face criminal charges for murder and firearm offenses in Richmond. ICE has lodged a detainer against him and will initiate his removal after criminal proceedings are complete.
Actionel Pierre was arrested in Wicomico County, Maryland. The Haitian native has a criminal history that includes attempted murder, assault and reckless endangerment. He will remain in ICE custody until his removal from the U.S.
Estrella Reyes-Funez, a Honduras native, was arrested in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Reyes-Funez’s criminal history includes a conviction for felony hit-and-run and arrests for making threats on a family member and violating a protective order. Reyes-Funez will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
German Mejia-Baires was arrested in Manassas, Virginia. The El Salvador native and alleged MS-13 member has a criminal history that includes driving while intoxicated, driving on a suspended license and arrests for shoplifting and felony malicious wounding. Meja-Baires will stay in ICE custody pending removal.
Mauricio Antonio Barrera-Navidad was arrested in Hyattsville, Maryland. The alleged MS-13 member and El Salvador native has a criminal history that includes robbery, illegal use of firearms and association with MS-13. Barrera-Navidad will remain in ICE custody pending removal.
Angel Gabriel Ortiz-Hernandez was arrested in Alexandria, Virginia. The Guatemala native has a criminal history that includes rape of a mentally incapacitated person and two counts of aggravated sexual battery of an incapacitated victim. Ortiz-Hernandez will remain in ICE custody pending removal.
Rowan Andrew Brown was arrested in Alexandria, Virginia. The Jamaica native has a criminal history that includes identity theft and kidnapping, along with an arrest for fraud. Brown will stay in ICE custody pending removal.
Ronaldo Ronel Perez-Perez was arrested in Richmond, Virginia. The Guatemala native has a criminal history that includes driving while intoxicated, hit-and-run and sexual penetration by force. Perez-Perez will remain in custody pending removal.
Julio Hector Carranza-Rojano was arrested in Manassas, Virginia. The Mexico native has a criminal history that includes sexual batter, driving while intoxicated and hit-and-run. Carranza-Rojano will stay in ICE custody pending removal.
A similar operation was carried out in Atlanta in July, leading to arrests of more than 1,200 undocumented immigrants across Georgia.
"Our officers are the best in the world at finding people who do not want to be located. That’s exactly what we did throughout the course of this operation," said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Acting Assistant Director Patricia Hyde.
Immigration attorneys raise questions
What they're saying:
ICE says the immigration actions were carried out quietly and successfully, but immigration attorneys say different.
"The massive raids have calmed down over the last couple of months. However, we have seen that there is a rise in the violence, the aggressiveness and the brutality in which these detentions are happening," said immigration attorney Carlos Jurado. "Because these detainments are not as massive as before... A lot of these are being done in the shadows without people watching."
Jurado is representing Jose Mejia Hernandez, who claims ICE agents used excessive force during his detention. He says he later woke up in a hospital with significant bruises and swelling on his face.
Hernandez is not facing any criminal charges.
The Source: Information in this report is from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).