In a recent nationwide operation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended over 530 individuals residing in the U.S. illegally, a significant number of whom had prior criminal convictions. The operation, part of a renewed focus on deportations, netted 373 individuals with criminal backgrounds and 165 without, as of Thursday evening. Additionally, 16 gang members were apprehended, including four affiliated with the notorious Tren de Aragua gang.

Among those arrested were individuals with serious offenses. In Buffalo, New York, an Ecuadorian national convicted of rape was detained, along with Dominican Republic national Pedro Julio Mejia, convicted of sexual misconduct with a child. In St. Paul, Minnesota, Honduran national Cristofer Alexander Ramirez-Oliva was arrested for third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. San Francisco saw the arrest of Mexican national Ariel Rene Romice-Patino, convicted of child sexual exploitation and sentenced to 62 months imprisonment. Another Mexican national, Magdaleno Zenen Hernandez Garcia, was apprehended for continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14. In New York, Turkish national Gokhan Adriguzel, identified as a known or suspected terrorist, was also taken into custody.

Cristofer Alexander Ramirez-Oliva, a Honduran citizen, was arrested by ICE St. Paul on January 23, 2025, following his conviction for 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

ICE San Francisco arrested Ariel Rene Romice-Patino, a Mexican citizen unlawfully present in the United States, on January 23, 2025.

Gokhan Adriguzel, a Turkish national, was administratively arrested by ICE New York on January 23, 2025, for Entry without Inspection.

Chicago authorities apprehended Rimon Aparicio-Pimentel, a Mexican national previously convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 17 years, despite a 2017 ICE detainer that was not honored. This operation marks a significant escalation in ICE activity since the inauguration of the new administration, which has prioritized increased deportations. Over 460 arrests were made prior to Thursday's operation. The administration's focus on border security is further evidenced by recent executive orders, including measures to resume wall construction, restrict parole programs, reassess birthright citizenship, and deploy military personnel to the border. Furthermore, a Biden-era policy limiting ICE enforcement in "sensitive locations" has been rescinded, and expedited removal procedures have been broadened. Fox News observed ICE Boston's apprehension of eight individuals, including several MS-13 members, individuals with Interpol Red Notices, and suspects in murder and rape cases. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that these actions demonstrate the administration's commitment to its stated objectives.