U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested several individuals in Virginia as part of a statewide operation targeting people with criminal backgrounds, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The arrests took place over the past week and involved individuals charged or convicted of offenses such as sexual assault, drug trafficking, domestic violence, and making terroristic threats.
“This past week, ICE took down sexual predators, drug traffickers, rapists, abusers and other violent thugs across the Commonwealth,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “These arrests underscore the reality of open border and sanctuary policies that allowed criminals around the world to come to America and roam free across our country. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, the U.S. is closed to lawbreakers. We will continue to use every available tool to make America safe again.”
Among those arrested were Adolfo Flores Ramirez from El Salvador in Loudon County for offenses including DUI and domestic violence; Harvin Francisco Rivera-Diaz from Nicaragua in Richmond for sexual assault; Shannovan Emeil Facey from Jamaica in Chesterfield County for drug smuggling and weapons possession; Elvin Tiburcio Mirambeaux from the Dominican Republic in Suffolk for making terroristic threats; Westher Antonio Jacobo Morales from Guatemala in Richmond for rape and extortion; and Daniel Soc-Patzan also from Guatemala in Richmond for aggravated assault.
The DHS statement links these arrests to broader concerns about immigration policy, referencing previous removals or deportations among those detained.
