ICE Nabs Over 1,300 Illegals From 2 Sanctuary States In Just 14 Days: REPORT

Interesting abigail spanberger, immigration and customs enforcement, maryland, virginia admin August 25, 2026 0 Comments

ICE Nabs Over 1,300 Illegals From 2 Sanctuary States In Just 14 Days: REPORT

Federal immigration officers rounded up more than 1,300 illegal immigrants across Virginia and Maryland in a two-week sweep the agency disclosed only after the operation was complete.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Monday that an enforcement push titled Operation Safe Community, Washington, D.C. yielded 1,328 arrests between Aug. 1 and Aug. 14. Fox News first reported the tally, with federal sources characterizing the sweep as among the most successful the agency has ever run. Most of the activity centered on the two states’ D.C. suburbs, though officers worked across other regions of Maryland and Virginia as well, according to WJLA.

Nearly 400 of those detained had criminal convictions or open charges, DHS said. Convictions among the group included robbery, identity theft, hit-and-run, driving while intoxicated, kidnapping, and sexual battery, while arrest histories included murder, attempted murder, and rape. (RELATED: ICE Arrests Illegal Alien Illinois Ex-Teacher Allegedly Tied To Deadly Tren De Aragua Shooting)

Officers also picked up members of MS-13, the 18th Street Gang and Tren de Aragua. Eygner Wilfredo Huezo-Moran, a Salvadoran wanted in Richmond on a murder warrant and a related firearms count, was taken into custody in Chesterfield by ICE officers working with U.S. Marshals. ICE officers turned him over to local authorities, and ICE filed a detainer to begin removal once his criminal case concludes.

Two others named by the agency remain in federal custody. Actionel Pierre, a Haitian national taken into custody in Wicomico County, Maryland, faced earlier charges of attempted murder, two counts of assault, carrying a dangerous weapon meant to cause harm and reckless endangerment. Estrella Reyes-Funez, from Honduras, was arrested in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and carries a felony hit-and-run conviction along with prior arrests for a threat to set a fire or detonate an explosive, assault and battery involving a relative, and breaching a protective order, DHS said.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin credited officers for the numbers. “The brave men and women of ICE are hard at work every single day getting these dangerous illegal aliens out of our country,” Mullin said. “While sanctuary politicians in Virginia and Maryland keep putting the needs of illegal aliens over the safety of the American people, the Trump Administration will always put American citizens first.”

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Acting Assistant Director Patricia Hyde attributed the operation’s success to tradecraft. “Our officers are the best in the world at finding people who do not want to be located,” Hyde said. The agency said its officers secured the arrests despite sanctuary rules covering numerous counties in both states.

Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger scrapped Virginia’s 287(g) agreements in February, ending arrangements that had state corrections officers transfer inmates to ICE.

“She made Virginia a sanctuary state yesterday when she said we’re not cooperating with ICE,” Republican Virginia House Leader Terry Kilgore told 7News at the time. Spanberger rejected the label in April. “Virginia is not a sanctuary state, full stop,” she said.