February 1, 2025
In a recent nine-day operation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more than 7,200 individuals for immigration violations. The crackdown, initiated on January 23, 2025, targeted sanctuary cities such as New York, Chicago, and Boston, focusing on individuals accused of serious crimes.
Among those detained were members of gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13. Notable arrests included Jos Ortega Ram and Seyidxan Hisen Salih, both previously convicted of felonies. ICE has provided limited information about the detainees, emphasizing their focus on violent offenders.
In a related development, the Trump administration announced that Venezuela has agreed to accept deported migrants. This follows the release of six American hostages by Venezuela and is part of broader diplomatic efforts to manage immigration.
These enforcement actions have sparked controversy. Critics argue that some arrests were based on racial profiling, citing incidents where individuals were detained for speaking Spanish. The administration has also faced criticism from public figures, including actress Selena Gomez, who expressed concern over the raids. In response, the administration released a video featuring mothers whose children were allegedly killed by undocumented immigrants, countering Gomes statements.
As of September 30, 2024, ICE reported a total of 103,603 administrative arrests for the fiscal year, with 90% of those arrested having criminal convictions or pending charges.
The recent surge in enforcement reflects the administration’s commitment to stringent immigration policies, focusing on the removal of individuals deemed threats to public safety.
Reference:-ice.gov
