18 Individuals Charged in Operation Take Back America Crackdown

Key Takeaways

• On May 28, 2025, 18 people charged in North Carolina under Operation Take Back America.
• Since March 2025, over 1,100 immigration-related charges filed in southwestern border districts.
• Operation restores federal death penalty and targets violent crime and transnational cartels.

Federal Crackdown Intensifies: 18 Charged in North Carolina Under “Operation Take Back America”

On May 28, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced that 18 people were charged with violent, gun, or immigration crimes. This action is part of the ongoing “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Justice (DOJ). The operation, launched in March 2025, is one of the most aggressive federal crackdowns in recent years, targeting illegal immigration, violent crime, and transnational criminal organizations across the United States 🇺🇸.

Who is involved? The DOJ, under the direction of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, is leading this effort. The operation brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The latest charges in North Carolina are just one example of the operation’s reach, which has resulted in thousands of arrests and major asset seizures nationwide.

What is Operation Take Back America? This initiative is a coordinated federal response to rising concerns about violent crime and illegal immigration. It was established by a memorandum from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, following executive orders from President Trump and Attorney General Ashley Moody. The operation combines resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) to focus on:

• Stopping illegal immigration (Executive Order 14159)
• Breaking up cartels and transnational criminal groups (Executive Order 14157)
• Bringing back the federal death penalty for certain crimes (Executive Order 14164)
• Charging the most serious crimes possible, including capital offenses

Why now? The DOJ says the operation is needed to protect public safety, secure the border, and dismantle dangerous criminal networks. According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, the initiative has led to a sharp increase in federal prosecutions, especially in border states and areas with high rates of violent crime.

How does it work? Law enforcement agencies identify suspects involved in violent crime, drug trafficking, human smuggling, and immigration violations. They arrest and charge these individuals with the most serious offenses possible. Prosecutors push for detention, especially for non-citizens and those considered a public safety risk, and appeal if bail is granted. Cases are prosecuted in federal court, with the DOJ seeking the harshest penalties allowed by law, including life sentences and the death penalty. For non-citizens, removal (deportation) proceedings often follow conviction.

Let’s look deeper at how Operation Take Back America is changing the landscape of immigration enforcement, what it means for different communities, and what to expect in the months ahead.

The Scope and Scale of Operation Take Back America

Since its launch in March 2025, Operation Take Back America has quickly become one of the largest federal enforcement efforts in recent history. The numbers tell the story:

• May 28, 2025: 18 individuals charged in North Carolina with violent, gun, or immigration crimes.
• May 16–22, 2025: 277 cases filed in the Southern District of Texas, including human smuggling, drug trafficking, and immigration violations.
• Since March 2025: Over 1,100 people charged with immigration-related crimes in the southwestern border districts during a single week in May.
• February–March 2025: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made about 18,000 arrests nationwide, up from roughly 10,000 in the same period in 2024.

These figures show a dramatic increase in federal charges and arrests, especially for immigration and drug-related offenses. The DOJ has made it clear that it will use every available tool to pursue its enforcement priorities.

Key Policy Changes and Enforcement Priorities

Operation Take Back America is not just about making arrests. It represents a major shift in federal policy, with several important changes:

1. Prioritizing Serious Charges and Maximum Penalties

Prosecutors are instructed to charge the most serious, easily provable offenses. This includes capital crimes, which can carry the death penalty. The DOJ is also pushing for longer sentences and expedited removal for non-citizens.

2. Restoring the Federal Death Penalty

President Trump’s Executive Order 14164 brings back the death penalty for certain federal crimes. This is a significant change, as the federal death penalty had been rarely used in recent years.

3. Targeting Transnational Criminal Organizations

The operation focuses on breaking up powerful cartels like Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation, as well as gangs such as MS-13 and organized crime syndicates. Large-scale arrests and asset seizures are central to this effort.

4. Aggressive Detention Policies

Prosecutors are told to seek detention for suspects, especially non-citizens and those seen as public safety risks. If a judge grants bail, prosecutors are expected to appeal.

5. Asset Seizure and Removal Proceedings

Law enforcement seizes assets linked to criminal activity, including cash, firearms, vehicles, and real estate. For non-citizens, removal (deportation) proceedings are started after conviction or as part of plea deals.

Step-by-Step Enforcement Process

To help readers understand how Operation Take Back America works in practice, here’s a simple breakdown:

1. Identification and Investigation: Law enforcement agencies work together to find suspects involved in violent crime, drug trafficking, human smuggling, and immigration violations.
2. Arrest and Charging: Suspects are arrested and charged with the most serious offenses possible, often facing multiple counts.
3. Detention and Bail: Prosecutors push for detention, especially for non-citizens and those considered dangerous. They appeal if bail is granted.
4. Prosecution: Cases are handled in federal court, with the DOJ seeking the harshest penalties allowed by law.
5. Asset Seizure: Authorities take assets linked to criminal activity.
6. Removal Proceedings: Non-citizens face removal (deportation) after conviction or as part of plea agreements.

For more details on federal prosecution and removal proceedings, readers can visit the U.S. Department of Justice’s official website.

Impact on Immigrant Communities and Civil Rights

The aggressive approach of Operation Take Back America has sparked fear and concern among immigrant communities and civil rights groups. Many worry about:

• Collateral Arrests: Thousands of people have been arrested, including some who were not the original targets of investigations. This “collateral damage” has raised questions about fairness and due process.
• Community Disruption: Black and immigrant communities, especially in cities like Washington, D.C., report increased fear of raids, displacement, and the risk of legal immigrants being wrongly detained.
• Due Process Concerns: Civil rights groups warn that the fast pace of arrests and prosecutions may lead to mistakes, wrongful detentions, and violations of constitutional rights.
• Racial Profiling: There are concerns that the focus on certain communities could lead to racial profiling and discrimination.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these concerns have led to legal challenges and calls for more oversight of federal enforcement actions.

Law Enforcement and Policy Perspectives

Federal officials argue that Operation Take Back America is essential for public safety and national security. They point to recent successes, such as:

• Record Drug Seizures: DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy called a recent fentanyl seizure a “battlefield victory against a terrorist-backed network pumping death into our cities.”
• Dismantling Organized Crime: HSI Los Angeles Acting Deputy Special Agent Dwayne Angebrandt said, “We are holding these perpetrators accountable and disrupting their criminal enterprise at every level,” after the arrest of Armenian organized crime syndicate members.

U.S. Attorneys across the country have highlighted the operation’s focus on public safety, border security, and taking down criminal organizations.

Multiple Perspectives: Who is Affected and How?

Operation Take Back America affects many different groups. Here’s a look at some of the main perspectives:

Background: How Did We Get Here?

Operation Take Back America did not appear overnight. It builds on earlier efforts by the DOJ and the Trump administration to increase federal prosecution of immigration and organized crime offenses.

Key milestones include:

• March 2025: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issues a memorandum establishing Operation Take Back America, following executive orders from President Trump and Attorney General Ashley Moody.
• Executive Orders: President Trump signs orders (14157, 14159, 14164) directing aggressive enforcement, targeting cartels, and restoring the federal death penalty.
• Enforcement Surge: The operation leads to a sharp rise in federal charges, ICE arrests, and asset seizures, focusing on both border and interior enforcement.

Recent Developments and Notable Cases

The charging of 18 individuals in North Carolina is just one example of the operation’s reach. Other notable developments include:

• Southern District of Texas: 277 cases filed in a single week in May 2025, covering human smuggling, drug trafficking, and immigration violations.
• Southwestern Border Districts: Over 1,100 people charged with immigration-related crimes in one week.
• Nationwide ICE Arrests: About 18,000 arrests made in February–March 2025, compared to 10,000 in the same period in 2024.

These numbers show that the operation is not limited to border areas. It is having a nationwide impact, with large-scale arrests and prosecutions in many states.

Legal Challenges and Future Outlook

Civil liberties groups are preparing legal challenges to several aspects of Operation Take Back America. Their main concerns include:

• Detention Standards: Whether suspects are being held in fair and humane conditions.
• Due Process: Whether people are getting a fair chance to defend themselves in court.
• Use of the Death Penalty: The return of the federal death penalty has sparked debate and legal action.

Policy analysts expect the DOJ to continue or even increase enforcement activity in the coming months. More large-scale indictments and asset seizures are likely. The administration may also issue new executive orders or DOJ guidance to adjust priorities or respond to legal and humanitarian concerns.

What Should Immigrants and Their Families Do?

If you or someone you know is affected by Operation Take Back America, here are some practical steps:

• Know Your Rights: Learn about your legal rights during encounters with law enforcement. Many organizations offer free resources and legal hotlines.
• Seek Legal Help: If you are arrested or charged, contact an immigration attorney or legal aid group as soon as possible.
• Stay Informed: Follow updates from official sources, such as the U.S. Department of Justice, and trusted news outlets.
• Community Support: Connect with local immigrant support organizations for help with legal, housing, and family needs.

Conclusion: What Lies Ahead

Operation Take Back America marks a new chapter in federal immigration and crime enforcement. With thousands of arrests, major asset seizures, and high-profile prosecutions, the initiative is reshaping how the United States 🇺🇸 handles illegal immigration and organized crime. Supporters say it is needed to protect public safety and national security. Critics warn about the risks to civil liberties, due process, and community stability.

As the operation continues, immigrants, families, and advocates should stay informed, know their rights, and seek legal help if needed. The debate over how to balance enforcement with fairness and justice is likely to continue, both in the courts and in communities across the country.

For official updates and resources, visit the U.S. Department of Justice.

Key Points to Remember:

• Operation Take Back America is a nationwide DOJ initiative targeting illegal immigration, violent crime, and organized crime.
• 18 individuals were charged in North Carolina on May 28, 2025, as part of the operation.
• Thousands of arrests and major asset seizures have taken place since March 2025.
• Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and President Trump are leading the effort, with support from Attorney General Ashley Moody.
• Civil rights and immigrant groups are raising concerns about due process, racial profiling, and community impact.
• Legal challenges are expected as the operation continues.

Stay alert for further developments as this major federal initiative unfolds.

Learn Today

Operation Take Back America → A 2025 DOJ initiative targeting illegal immigration, violent crimes, and transnational criminal organizations nationwide.
Deputy Attorney General → A senior DOJ official overseeing federal prosecutions, here led by Todd Blanche for this operation.
Executive Order → A presidential directive that guides federal policies; here key orders authorize increased enforcement and death penalty restoration.
Asset Seizure → The legal confiscation of property linked to criminal activities during federal investigations and prosecutions.
Removal Proceedings → Legal process for deporting non-citizens following federal criminal convictions or plea agreements.

This Article in a Nutshell

Operation Take Back America intensifies federal enforcement with 18 North Carolina charges, focusing on violent crime, immigration, and cartels. Launched March 2025, it restores the death penalty and seeks harsh penalties. Thousands arrested nationwide reflect the DOJ’s aggressive crackdown on crime and illegal immigration during this pivotal initiative.
— By VisaVerge.com