In one of its most impressive operations yet, agents with ICE Philadelphia poured into West Virginia in an unsuspected and highly effective crackdown, arresting hundreds upon hundreds of illegal aliens in just the one, quick operation. Numerous illegal aliens captured apparently had serious criminal histories.
Such is what ICE revealed in a press release promulgated at the end of January, a couple of weeks after the operation had successfully concluded. Integral to the operation’s quick and large success was the fact that the authorities in West Virginia were more than willing to work with the ICE agents to effect the huge number of deportations.
Announcing as much in the late-January press release, ICE said, “From Jan. 5 to Jan. 19, ICE Philadelphia conducted a statewide surge with 14 of its 287(g) partners in West Virginia, arresting over 650 illegal aliens, including several with serious criminal histories and prior removals.”
Continuing, the statement noted, “ICE Philadelphia deployed surge teams to Martinsburg, Moorefield, Morgantown, Beckley, Huntington and Charleston as part of the operation. Together, federal, state and local law enforcement officials identified and arrested hundreds of illegal aliens who present dangers to national security and risks to public safety, as well as those who entered the United States illegally or have otherwise undermined the integrity of U.S. immigration laws and border control efforts.”
ERO Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Michael Rose, commenting in the press release on how the authorities deciding to work with ICE, something that’s not happening to the degree it should in Philadelphia, was integral to the operation’s success, said, “This operation demonstrates how strong partnerships between ICE and West Virginia law enforcement agencies enhance public safety and the integrity of our immigration system.”
He then added, on that same point, that ICE is further working with West Virginia law enforcement officers to ensure that more such operations in the future are a success. He said, “By training and supporting our 287(g) partners across the state, we’ve expanded local capacity to identify, arrest, and process illegal aliens while ensuring these authorities are exercised professionally and consistent with the law.”
Additionally, ICE highlighted that fact yet again later in the press release, noting, after describing the horrendous sorts of criminal illegal aliens it had managed to capture, “These arrests highlight how 287(g) partnerships serve as a force multiplier for federal resources, enabling local officers — under ICE training and supervision — to identify and help remove individuals who may pose threats to public safety or have violated U.S. immigration laws.”
"*" indicates required fields
The locals were similarly positive about the operation and the cooperation. For example, Jefferson County Sheriff Tom Hansen, commenting on the situation and how his deputies worked with ICE to make the operation a large success, said, quite positively, “The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has just completed a two-week operation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office was impressed with the professionalism and work ethic of the agents and how well they interacted with the citizens and local law enforcement officers.”
The sheriff further added, “Working with such a high caliber group of agents who were assigned to Jefferson County made the decision to support the initiative worthwhile. We are also gratified that through this program, we have had the opportunity to remove numerous dangerous criminals from our community.”
Watch Tom Homan reveal the rescue of thousands of missing children in Minnesota here: