ICE agents in Houston have struck a major blow against criminal aliens hiding in plain sight. In just one week, more than 600 individuals with serious criminal backgrounds were removed from American streets, marking one of the largest immigration enforcement actions in recent memory.
At a glance:
• ICE arrested 646 non-citizens during a weeklong operation in Houston
• 543 of those arrested had criminal charges or convictions
• The operation took place from February 23 to March 2
• Offenses included aggravated felonies, sex crimes, firearms violations, and drug crimes
• Multiple federal agencies collaborated in the massive enforcement effort
Massive Criminal Roundup Restores Law and Order
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Houston detained a staggering 646 illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds during an intensive week long operation. The enforcement action, carried out between February 23 and March 2, specifically targeted those with serious criminal charges or convictions who were living illegally in the United States.
Of those arrested, 543 had criminal charges or convictions, and the operation included seven alleged gang members. ICE officers executed 71 criminal arrest warrants during the operation, demonstrating the serious nature of the threats these individuals posed to American communities.
Houston ICE Agents Detain 600+ Criminal Illegals in a Single Week https://t.co/op4qiemkQt
— ConservativeLibrarian (@ConserLibrarian) March 27, 2025
The criminal offenses committed by those detained weren’t minor infractions but included aggravated felonies, sex crimes, illegal firearms possession, drug trafficking, property crimes, and driving while intoxicated. Houston has long been a destination for illegal immigrants crossing from Tamaulipas, Mexico, allowing criminal elements to blend into the large immigrant population in the area.
Dangerous Criminal Aliens Removed from Communities
Among those arrested was Orbelin Benitez-Carbajal, a Mexican national with a manslaughter conviction who had been previously deported multiple times. His criminal history also included assault and driving while intoxicated charges, representing exactly the type of repeat offender the operation aimed to remove from American society.
“In recent years, some of the world’s most dangerous fugitives, transnational gang members and criminal aliens have taken advantage of the crisis at our nation’s southern border to illegally enter the U.S.,” said Bret Bradford, Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office. “After illegally entering the country, many of these criminal aliens have gone on to commit violent crime and reign terror on law-abiding residents.”
ICE officials confirmed that Benitez-Carbajal was deported back to Mexico on March 17 following his arrest during the operation. The case highlights the revolving door at the southern border, where dangerous criminals repeatedly enter the country despite prior deportations.
Sending a Strong Message to Criminal Organizations
Officials emphasized that the operation was specifically designed to enhance local community safety and bolster national security. “These collective efforts have made our local communities significantly safer and strengthened our national security and border security,” said Chad Plantz, a senior official involved in the operation.
Bradford further explained the operation’s purpose, noting, “Fueled by our unwavering commitment to protect the public from harm, and united in our determination to restore integrity to our nation’s system of laws, ICE and our law enforcement partners in Southeast Texas have banded together to remove these dangerous criminal aliens from our local communities and put an end to the lawlessness that they spread.”
Trump’s message is clearer than ever: do not come to the United States illegally, or we will deport you or imprison you.
