WEST VIRGINIA - What is the difference between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in a red state and in a sanctuary jurisdiction? No unhinged, violent agitators attempting to interfere with their operations.
ICE issued a news release reporting that between Jan. 5 and Jan. 19, ICE Philadelphia conducted a statewide surge in West Virginia with its 287(g) partners, resulting in the arrest of over 650 illegal aliens, including several with serious criminal histories and prior orders of removal.
The release stated that “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.”
Under the 287(g) program, municipal and state law enforcement agencies are allowed to enforce certain portions of U.S. immigration law, including:
- Identify and process removable aliens with pending or active criminal charges
- Enforce limited immigration authorities with ICE oversight during routine duties
- Serve and execute administrative warrants on removable aliens in jail
“This operation demonstrates how strong partnerships between ICE and West Virginia law enforcement agencies enhance public safety and the integrity of our immigration system,” said ERO Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Michael Rose. “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 law.”
Among those arrested was Sagar Singh, an Indian national, who was stopped under Operation ICE Wall, a program that targets illegal aliens operating commercial vehicles. Singh was stopped by a commercial-vehicle enforcement officer who stopped him using a mandatory brake-check station. Singh was cited for numerous commercial-vehicle infractions related to operating an unsafe vehicle. He was also subject to a previous order of removal and was one of over 25 illegal aliens arrested under Operation ICE Wall between Jan. 5 and Jan. 19.
Another illegal alien arrested was Ling Yang, a Chinese illegal alien. He was convicted of two counts of endangering the welfare of children in Ohio and has a final order of removal.
Others arrested included a convicted child sex abuser, a criminal convicted of drug charges, and many others, the release read.
“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,” the release read.
“The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has just completed a two-week operation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Tom Hansen. “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.
“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,” Hansen continued.
That is precisely what President Trump, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, ICE head Greg Bovino, and others have been trying to relay to sanctuary locations such as Minneapolis. Here, you had 650 illegal aliens taken into custody, and not one ICE officer or local law enforcement officer was attacked or injured, nor were any run down by unhinged loons driving SUVs. No civilians were injured or worse.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey praised the operation.
“I want to thank the men and women of ICE for their outstanding partnership with various state entities, including the State Police, and their tireless work here in West Virginia,” Morrisey said. “Through our collaboration under the 287(g) program, they have removed dangerous illegal immigrants from our communities and made our state safer for families and law-abiding citizens. After years of Biden’s reckless border policies putting the public at risk, it is encouraging to work with President Trump and ICE to secure our homeland and deliver real results for West Virginians.”
“This operation, which resulted in 650 arrests, reflects the strength of collaboration among local, state, and federal partners; I am proud to stand alongside our law enforcement agencies to ensure federal laws are enforced, and justice is served,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of West Virginia Matthew L. Harvey.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia Moore-Capito said of the operation, “The dedication shown by our state and local law enforcement partners during this operation reflects the very best of West Virginia. This operation resulted in the removal of more than 650 individuals who violated federal law. I'm proud to stand alongside our law enforcement partners as we continue to protect our communities and maintain the integrity of our nation’s system of laws.”
And that, folks, is how it is done. Cooperation between local and state law enforcement officials and federal immigration agencies gets illegal aliens off the streets with no drama, no injuries, and most importantly, no deaths.
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