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ICE, law enforcement partners arrest almost 200 alien offenders during 4-day immigration enforcement operation in Washington, D.C.

News2025-05-13

WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement working with law enforcement partners apprehended 189 illegal aliens and served notices of inspection to 187 local businesses during an enhanced targeted immigration enforcement operation focusing on criminal alien offenders operating in and around Washington, D.C. May 6 to May 9.

“The District of Columbia is exponentially safer today because of countless hours of investigative work and dedication to duty displayed by ICE Washington, D.C. and our law enforcement partners,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. Field Office Director Russell Hott. “Working with our partner agencies, ICE officers and agents arrested 189 illegal aliens and removed them from the streets of our nation’s capital. Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in the city of Washington, D.C. Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid. I commend the efforts of everyone involved, as all were truly committed to the success of this operation. ICE Washington, D.C. remains dedicated to our mission of prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing criminal offenders from our nation’s capital and surrounding communities.”

During the four-day enhanced operation, ICE’s ERO and Homeland Security Investigations directorates and their law enforcement partners from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Virginia Department of Corrections, the FBI, the ATF, the DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service targeted criminal alien offenders including members of transnational criminal organizations known to operate in and around Washington, D.C. These organizations include the notorious MS-13, Tren de Aragua and 18th Street gangs.

“The success of this enhanced operation highlights the resolve of ICE and our federal partners in keeping our country safe from criminal alien offenders,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Heck. “Many of the aliens arrested have egregious criminal histories to include violent crimes against residents of our Washington, D.C. communities. I am exceptionally grateful for the professionalism and dedication of our ICE HSI Washington, D.C. special agents as well as the unwavering support from our law enforcement partners during this operation to remove dangerous alien offenders from our Washington, D.C. communities.”

Aside from targeting criminal alien offenders at large, ICE also served 187 notices of inspection to Washington, D.C. business to ensure they are complying with U.S. immigration and employment laws.

“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and this administration’s focus on law and order, these arrests represent a major step forward in making Washington, D.C., safer for legal citizens and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. “These arrests make clear that violating our nation’s immigration laws will not be ignored.”

ICE and their law enforcement partners made many of the apprehensions after local jurisdictions refused to honor immigration detainers and released the alien offenders back into their communities.

“The Diplomatic Security Service is a key partner in the United States’ work to reduce illegal immigration and root out those who endeavor to exploit the U.S. travel system,” said Diplomatic Security Service Washington Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Richeson. “DSS proudly coordinates with our U.S. and international law enforcement partners to investigate transnational crimes and apprehend fugitives who violate U.S. law.”

Among those arrested during the enhanced targeted operation include the following:

A 47-year-old illegally present Guatemalan alien whose criminal history includes drug possession, illegal reentry, aggravated assault, trespassing, disorderly conduct and sexual assault. His current criminal charges include unlawful reentry of a previously deported alien, disorderly conduct, lewd acts, possession of a controlled substance, sex abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon and possessing an open container. Additionally, he has numerous gang-affiliated tattoos on his arms, legs and chest.
A 25-year-old illegally present Guatemalan alien whose criminal history includes threat to kidnap, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, threats to bodily harm and simple assault. He is currently charged with alien present without admission or parole.
A 30-year-old illegally present Salvadoran alien whose criminal history includes simple assault, driving while intoxicated, brandishing a machete and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He is currently charged with alien present without admission or parole.
A 36-year-old illegally present Mexican alien whose criminal history includes misdemeanor larceny, misdemeanor indecent exposure, possession of an open container, simple assault, theft, unlawful entry, and possession of prohibited weapon – knife, a misdemeanor. He is currently charged with being an alien present without admission or parole.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X at @EROWashington.

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