ICE Arrests 56 Criminal Aliens in 1 week in DC, VA area operation

From Nov. 12 to 20, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) officers arrested 56 criminal aliens in the Washington, D.C., and Virginia area that included violent offenders, gang members, sex offenders, fugitives from justice, and those who otherwise pose a significant public safety threat. Those arrested during Operation Eagle’s Shield include members of several notoriously violent transnational criminal organizations such as MS-13 and the 18th Street Gang.

With cooperation from ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, ICE made arrests in Fredericksburg (14), Washington, D.C. (9), Fairfax (6), Falls Church (6), Alexandria (5), Leesburg (5), Manassas (5), Herndon (2), Woodbridge (2), District Heights (1) and Sterling (1).

“ICE officers pursue public safety threats every day,” said ERO Washington Field Office Director Russell Hott. “These individuals not only disregarded our nation’s immigration laws, but they have also committed serious crimes here in the U.S.”

Aliens captured during the operation (53 men and 3 women) include a Honduran national convicted of sexual battery by force or helplessness, a Honduran national identified as an MS-13 member with an outstanding warrant for sexual assault—carnal abuse, a Salvadoran national, previously removed from the U.S. and identified as an MS-13 member, and an Australian national and visa overstay wanted in Australia for fraud and making false statements.

Those captured were foreign nationals from Australia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Libya, Mexico, and South Korea.