Photo Courtesy of Fox 4 News
NEW YORK – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a nationwide operation this week, resulting in the arrest of more than 530 individuals across multiple states. This marks the agency’s first large-scale enforcement action under the Trump administration.
Between January 21 and January 23, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) targeted individuals with criminal charges or convictions, including offenses such as sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and drug-related crimes.
Arrestees included nationals from a diverse range of countries, including Afghanistan, Angola, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Senegal, and Venezuela.
In addition to the arrests, ICE issued nearly 400 detainers—formal requests for local law enforcement to notify ICE before releasing undocumented individuals from custody. Many of these detainers were placed on individuals charged with serious crimes, including homicide, sexual assault, and robbery.
Enforcement Locations and Notable Arrests
The operation spanned several states, with arrests concentrated in key metropolitan areas:
- New Jersey: Several undocumented workers were detained at a fish market, where advocates claim federal agents used unmarked vehicles and entered without warrants.
- New York: Among those arrested was Franklin Osorto-Cruz, a Honduran national previously convicted of driving while intoxicated. Additionally, Kamaro Denver Haye, a Jamaican national, was taken into custody on charges related to child exploitation. On January 22, ICE agents in New York City apprehended 22-year-old Jose Roberto Rodriguez-Urbina, an alleged MS-13 gang member from El Salvador.
- Massachusetts: ICE operations in Boston led to eight arrests, including multiple individuals associated with MS-13, Interpol Red Notices, and violent crimes such as murder and rape. One suspect, a Haitian gang member with 18 prior convictions, was captured on camera stating he had no intention of returning to Haiti.
- Illinois: Authorities arrested Adan Pablo-Ramirez, a Mexican national with a history of driving under the influence.
- Utah: In Salt Lake City, Jesus Perez, a Mexican national, was taken into custody on charges of aggravated sexual abuse of a child.
- California: Colombian national Andres Orjuela Parra was arrested in San Francisco. He has a prior conviction for sexual penetration with a foreign object on an unconscious victim.
- Minnesota: Jesus Baltazar Mendoza, a Mexican national convicted of second-degree assault of a child, was arrested in St. Paul.
- Florida: ICE agents in Miami apprehended six unauthorized immigrants from Guatemala, all of whom had criminal records that included battery, child abuse, fraud, resisting arrest, driving while intoxicated, trespassing, and vandalism.
- Maryland: Details regarding arrests in Maryland have not been disclosed.
While specific information on all 460 additional arrests has not been released, ICE officials emphasized that the operation focused on individuals with significant criminal histories.
By the Numbers
According to the Pew Research Center:
- As of 2023, the U.S. foreign-born population reached a record 47.3 million, representing 14.3% of the total population.
- In 2022, 77% of immigrants in the U.S. were legally present, with nearly half having obtained naturalized citizenship.
- Approximately 23% of immigrants in the U.S. are unauthorized, while 4% hold legal temporary status.
Policy and Public Safety Considerations
Former acting ICE Director Tom Homan underscored the agency’s focus on removing individuals who pose public safety threats.
“Right out of the gate, we are prioritizing those who are in the country illegally and have been convicted or arrested for serious crimes,” Homan stated. “However, let me be clear—public safety threats are not the only individuals being arrested. In sanctuary cities, where we are prevented from detaining these individuals in jail, we have no choice but to locate them within communities.”
As immigration policies continue to evolve, significant changes are expected in 2025. FOX 5 NY will provide ongoing coverage, with reporters Jessica Formoso and Stephanie Bertini delivering updates from the field.
