U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has concluded a two-week operation called Operation Angel’s Honor, resulting in the arrest of more than 1,030 noncitizens with criminal records. The initiative was carried out under the Laken Riley Act, which requires the detention of any undocumented individual accused of violent crimes, including theft, burglary, assault on law enforcement officers, or offenses causing death or serious injury.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated, “In honor of Laken Riley, ICE launched Operation Angel’s Honor — in the last two weeks alone arresting more than 1,000 criminal illegal aliens under the authority of the Laken Riley Act. President Trump has empowered us to arrest and remove the millions of violent criminal illegal aliens unleashed on the United States by the previous administration. Now, these criminals will face justice and be removed from our country. We can never bring Laken back, but we can do everything in our power to bring these heinous criminals to justice. I am so proud of what our brave men and women of ICE have done to remove these criminals from America’s streets.”
ICE Director Todd Lyons added: “We named this operation 'Angel’s Honor' in honor of the memory of Laken Riley, whose life was tragically cut short by illegal alien crime. This operation, while a massive success, also serves as a solemn reminder of the profound impact that immigrant violence and crime can have on victims and their loved ones. ICE’s mission is to ensure that no more Americans will fall victim to illegal alien crime.”
The agency highlighted several cases involving individuals arrested during the operation. Those taken into custody include persons from Peru, Nicaragua, Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia and Honduras. Many face charges such as rape; assault with intent to cause injury; unlawful imprisonment; sexual exploitation or abuse involving minors; armed robbery; aggravated battery; domestic violence; child abuse; and other violent or property crimes.
ICE noted ongoing challenges when local jurisdictions decline cooperation with federal immigration authorities regarding custody transfers for individuals facing removal proceedings.
All those arrested are either awaiting removal proceedings or have already been ordered removed by immigration judges.
