Over 1,500 Arrested in Large-Scale Houston Immigration Operation
A ten-day operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal and Texas officials in Houston resulted in the arrest of over 1,500 individuals, including violent criminals and those previously deported, officials announced today.
The operation, which ran from October 22-31, led to the apprehension of 17 documented gang members, 40 aggravated felons, one convicted murderer, and 13 sexual predators. Arrests included individuals wanted for offenses such as 115 aggravated assaults, 142 driving while intoxicated (DWI) incidents, 55 drug offenses, and 31 weapons violations. Notably, 255 of those arrested had been previously deported from the U.S. at least once, highlighting the challenges of enforcing immigration laws. This large-scale effort underscores the ongoing debate surrounding border security and its impact on local communities.
Among those arrested was Selvin Joel Lara Diaz, a 35-year-old Mexican Mafia member previously deported for raping and impregnating his minor sister, who was found hiding in a grocery store. Another, Marlon Odir Gomez Hernandez, a suspected MS-13 gang member, attempted to evade capture by climbing into the ceiling of a washateria. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Office Director Bret Bradford stated, “despite the conditions becoming increasingly dangerous for our officers as a result of the spread of violent political rhetoric and intentionally false information,” agents successfully removed dangerous criminals from the streets. You can learn more about ICE’s mission and operations on their official website.
Nearly one-third of those arrested have been ordered removed from the U.S. by an immigration judge. Bradford emphasized that the operation “saved lives and prevented countless Houstonians from having to suffer from the nightmares and PTSD that come with being a victim of violent crime.” ICE officials indicated they will continue to prioritize the arrest and deportation of individuals who pose a threat to public safety, and further operations are planned in the coming months.
