Key Takeaways
• ICE arrested 1,361 people with criminal records in Houston in June 2025 during a major operation.
• Operation included 32 child sex offenders, 9 with homicide convictions, 16 gang members, and 1 airplane hijacker.
• ICE’s daily arrest goal rose to 3,000, focusing on violent offenders under Trump’s executive order.
Federal immigration agents arrested 1,361 people with criminal records in Houston in June 2025, including an airplane hijacker, as part of a sweeping ICE operation. The arrests, which targeted violent offenders and those with serious criminal backgrounds, mark one of the largest enforcement actions in the region in recent years.
ICE, or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, led the operation with help from several other federal and state agencies. The sweep comes amid new White House directives to increase daily arrests and focus on public safety. Officials say the goal is to remove people who pose a threat, but critics warn that the broad approach may also harm families and communities.
Key Details of the Houston Operation
The June 2025 operation in Houston was part of a larger national push to enforce immigration laws more strictly. ICE agents, working alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the DEA, ATF, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Texas Department of Public Safety, arrested 1,361 people with criminal records. These individuals were found living in the Houston area without legal status.
Among those arrested, ICE highlighted several cases that stand out:
- 32 people had previous convictions for child sex offenses.
- 9 people had homicide-related convictions.
- 16 people were believed to be members of gangs or drug cartels.
- 1 person had been convicted of hijacking an airplane traveling from Cuba to Key West, Florida.
All of these individuals are now in ICE custody and are waiting for removal proceedings, which means they will likely be deported after their cases are reviewed.
ICE’s Mission and Public Safety
Gabriel Martinez, the acting field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Houston, explained the agency’s focus: “Despite attempts to undermine ICE’s mission, our agents continue to target dangerous criminal aliens to restore integrity to the immigration system and bolster public safety.”
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) added that ICE is “targeting predators, abusers, and murderers” and is working to fulfill the administration’s promise to restore law and order.
Why Is This Happening Now?
The operation follows President Trump’s Executive Order, “Securing Our Borders and Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” This order gives the Department of Homeland Security more power to find and remove people with serious criminal records who are living in the United States 🇺🇸 without permission.
Since May 2025, the White House has ordered ICE to make 3,000 arrests every day, a sharp increase from previous years. This has led to more resources being directed to ICE and a greater focus on finding and removing people with criminal convictions, especially those involved in violent crimes.
National Trends and Statistics
The Houston sweep is part of a much larger national trend. In the first 100 days of President Trump’s second term, ICE arrested 66,463 people living in the United States 🇺🇸 without legal status and removed 65,682. About three out of four of those arrested had criminal records.
Since January 2025, ICE has detained more than 97,700 people. Of these, about 40% had criminal convictions. Among those with criminal records:
- 8.4% (8,200 people) had convictions for violent crimes.
- 478 people had been convicted of homicide.
- 6,800 people had been convicted of assault or sexual assault.
While traffic-related offenses remain the most common reason for arrest, ICE says its recent sweeps are focusing more on violent and serious offenders.
How Does ICE Find and Remove People?
ICE uses several methods to identify people for arrest:
- Checking criminal databases for people with past convictions.
- Working with local law enforcement to share information.
- Using intelligence from multiple agencies.
Once ICE identifies a target, agents arrest the person and take them to a detention center. The person is then processed and placed in removal proceedings. This means their case is reviewed, and if they do not have a legal right to stay, they are deported to their home country.
What Happens to Those Arrested?
Everyone arrested in the Houston operation is now in ICE custody. They are waiting for their cases to be reviewed by immigration courts. If the court decides they do not have a legal right to stay in the United States 🇺🇸, they will be deported.
ICE says these actions are necessary to keep communities safe. However, some people worry that the broad approach may also catch people who do not pose a threat.
Community Impact and Concerns
Supporters of the operation say it helps protect the public by removing people with violent criminal histories. They argue that focusing on serious offenders is the best way to keep communities safe.
However, critics, including advocacy groups and some ICE agents, have raised concerns:
- The increased number of arrests includes more people without criminal records, not just those with violent backgrounds.
- The focus on meeting daily arrest quotas may take resources away from targeting the most dangerous individuals.
- Large-scale sweeps can disrupt families and make communities less trusting of law enforcement.
Vanessa Cárdenas, executive director of America’s Voice, said, “The vast majority of immigrants are law-abiding and contribute positively to society.” She worries that the administration’s approach paints all immigrants as dangerous, which is not true.
Houston’s Role in Immigration Enforcement
Houston and Texas have long been at the center of immigration enforcement. Texas has a large immigrant population and is close to the border with Mexico 🇲🇽. This makes it a key area for ICE operations.
Texas has over 90 local law enforcement agencies that participate in what are called 287(g) agreements. These agreements allow local police to help enforce federal immigration laws. However, Harris County, where Houston is located, does not take part in this program.
A new law, Senate Bill 8, is waiting for the governor’s signature. If it becomes law, it will require most Texas sheriffs to work more closely with ICE. This could lead to even more cooperation between local and federal agencies in the future.
Resource Challenges and Funding
The push for more arrests has put a strain on ICE’s resources. The agency has moved staff from other federal agencies and is now facing a reported $1 billion deficit because of the scale of its operations. This has led to concerns about the conditions in detention centers and whether ICE can keep up with the demands of the new policies.
Multiple Perspectives: Supporters and Critics
Supporters of the Houston operation and similar sweeps across the country say these actions show a strong commitment to public safety and the rule of law. They believe that removing people with violent criminal records is the right thing to do.
On the other hand, critics argue that the approach is too broad and may harm people who do not pose a threat. They also worry about the impact on families and the community, as well as the strain on ICE’s resources.
Some ICE agents have also expressed concern. They say that focusing on arrest numbers, rather than targeting the most dangerous individuals, may actually make it harder to keep the public safe.
What Happens Next?
ICE is expected to continue these high-volume operations, especially in areas like Houston with large immigrant populations. Congress is currently debating issues related to funding, oversight, and the focus of immigration enforcement.
If Senate Bill 8 becomes law, local-federal cooperation in Texas could increase even more. This would likely lead to more arrests and removals in the coming months.
What Should Affected Individuals and Families Do?
If you or someone you know is affected by ICE operations, it is important to know your rights and seek legal help. People in ICE custody have the right to a legal review of their case. Families can contact the ICE Houston Field Office for updates or information about specific cases.
It is also important to stay informed about changes in immigration policy. The ICE ERO Statistics page provides up-to-date data on enforcement actions, while the DHS Newsroom shares the latest policy announcements.
Practical Guidance for the Community
- Know Your Rights: Everyone in the United States 🇺🇸, regardless of immigration status, has certain rights. If approached by ICE, you have the right to remain silent and to ask for a lawyer.
- Stay Informed: Policy changes can happen quickly. Follow official sources for the latest information.
- Seek Legal Help: If you or a family member is detained, contact a qualified immigration attorney as soon as possible.
- Community Support: Local organizations may offer help with legal advice, family support, and information about your rights.
Looking Ahead: Policy Debates and the Future of Enforcement
The debate over immigration enforcement is likely to continue. Supporters of the current approach argue that strong enforcement is needed to keep the country safe. Critics say that the focus should be on the most dangerous individuals, not on meeting arrest quotas.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the Houston operation is a clear example of the administration’s new priorities. The focus on violent offenders, including an airplane hijacker, shows a commitment to public safety. However, the broad approach and increased number of arrests have raised questions about fairness, resources, and the impact on families.
Congress and state lawmakers will play a key role in shaping the future of immigration enforcement. Decisions about funding, oversight, and cooperation between local and federal agencies will affect how ICE operates in Houston and across the country.
Conclusion: What This Means for Houston and Beyond
The recent ICE operation in Houston, which included the removal of an airplane hijacker among 1,361 violent criminals, marks a major moment in U.S. immigration enforcement. The operation reflects new policies that prioritize public safety but also raise concerns about fairness and community impact.
For those affected, it is important to know your rights, seek legal help, and stay informed about policy changes. For the wider community, the debate over immigration enforcement is far from over. As policies continue to change, the balance between safety, fairness, and family unity will remain at the center of the conversation.
For more information about ICE operations and how to contact the agency, visit the official ICE Houston ERO page. This resource provides updates, contact details, and guidance for individuals and families affected by enforcement actions.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency enforcing immigration laws and removing violators.
Airplane Hijacker → An individual convicted of illegally taking control of an aircraft during flight.
Removal Proceedings → Legal process reviewing if an undocumented immigrant must be deported from the U.S.
287(g) Agreement → Partnership allowing local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws under ICE supervision.
Executive Order → Directive issued by the U.S. president to manage federal government operations or policies.
This Article in a Nutshell
In June 2025, ICE’s massive Houston sweep arrested 1,361 criminals including an airplane hijacker, boosting public safety but raising concerns about broad enforcement and community impact amid rising daily arrest goals.
— By VisaVerge.com
