A coordinated ICE-led sweep in San Antonio has resulted in the arrest of 275 illegal aliens—most with criminal records—highlighting the agency’s focus on public safety through targeted enforcement.
At a Glance
- 275 illegal aliens were arrested during a week-long ICE operation in San Antonio
- 178 had criminal convictions, including for drug trafficking, assault, and illegal reentry
- The effort involved multiple federal and state law enforcement agencies
- Similar operations are ongoing across Texas, including Houston and South Texas
- ICE reaffirmed its stance that no category of removable alien is exempt from enforcement
Massive San Antonio Operation Yields High-Risk Arrests
A major immigration enforcement operation concluded May 11 in San Antonio, where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in partnership with federal and state agencies, apprehended 275 individuals residing in the U.S. unlawfully—178 of whom had serious criminal histories. Among the arrested were individuals convicted of drug offenses, domestic violence, DUI, weapons violations, and illegal reentry.
Key arrests included a 57-year-old Costa Rican national wanted for fraud, and a 34-year-old Mexican national with multiple felony convictions. These arrests reflect a growing pattern of repeat offenders, according to ICE official Sylvester Ortega: “Criminal aliens have taken advantage of our immigration laws for long enough. We will continue to prioritize public safety.”
Watch a report: ICE San Antonio Raids: Criminal Arrests Surge.
A Template for Joint Enforcement Strategy
This week-long sweep was part of a broader ICE initiative focused on multi-agency collaboration. In addition to ICE, participants included the Texas Department of Public Safety, DEA, ATF, FBI, U.S. Marshals, and Border Patrol. Ortega praised the cooperative model, stating, “These joint operations show the public what can be done when agencies work together toward a common goal of public safety.”
Similar enforcement efforts are currently underway in Houston, where violent criminals and gang members are being targeted for removal. Earlier in the month, an operation in South Texas netted 44 more arrests, including a known gang member.
Enforcement Without Exceptions
ICE reiterated its current posture: “ICE will no longer exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement.” This signals a departure from prior guidance that prioritized only certain cases for action.
Video from other regions shows ICE arresting immigrants outside courthouses, including federal facilities in San Diego, where the agency’s tactics have drawn both praise and controversy. Civil liberties groups continue to raise concerns about the due process implications of such arrests, particularly in sanctuary cities.
Yet ICE’s approach remains consistent: individuals with prior convictions or active warrants remain top priorities, and no location or status guarantees immunity. As immigration and public safety remain focal points in national discourse, these enforcement operations provide a real-time window into the evolving strategies and stakes involved.
