ICE Arrests 1,328 Undocumented Immigrants in Maryland, Virginia Operation

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 1,328 undocumented immigrants during a two-week operation in the Washington, D.C., suburbs of Maryland and Virginia, the Department of Homeland Security announced on August 24, 2026. The enforcement action, dubbed "Operation Safe Community Washington, D.C.," ran from August 1 to August 14 and targeted areas with sanctuary policies that limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Of those apprehended, nearly 400 individuals had prior criminal convictions or pending charges in the United States. DHS stated the offenses included murder, attempted murder, assault, sexual battery, kidnapping, robbery, and driving while intoxicated. The operation also focused on members of transnational criminal street gangs such as MS-13, the 18th Street Gang, and Tren de Aragua.

Among the specific cases highlighted by officials was Eygner Wilfredo Huezo-Moran, a Salvadoran national arrested in Chesterfield, Virginia. He was turned over to local police to face a murder warrant from Richmond and will be placed in ICE custody for removal proceedings after his criminal case concludes. Another arrestee, Actionel Pierre, a Haitian...