U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), apprehended three individuals illegally present in the United States during an enforcement operation conducted in Sterling, Virginia, on February 19.
“These three fugitives were illegally present in the Northern Virginia area in violation of U.S. immigration laws,” stated Russ Hott, Field Office Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. He emphasized that "ICE Washington, D.C.’s mission is to ensure the safety and security of our District of Columbia and Virginia communities through the arrest and removal of those individuals who undermine the safety of our communities and the integrity of our laws." Hott added that "those who flagrantly violate U.S. laws should expect to be arrested and removed."
The operation led to the arrest of:
- A 49-year-old Salvadoran who had re-entered the United States after being previously deported to El Salvador in September 2003.
- A 34-year-old Honduran whose removal was ordered by an immigration judge from the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review in November 2024.
- A 36-year-old Salvadoran whose removal was also ordered by an immigration judge from the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review in November 2006.
The public is encouraged to report crimes or suspicious activities by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submitting information via an online tip form.
Further information about ICE's mission to enhance public safety can be found on their X account: @EROWashington.
