Texas ICE operation nabs over 4,170 illegal aliens in 10 days, 60% had criminal records

Over 60 percent of the apprehended individuals had a criminal background, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

Speaking to reporters in Dallas on Thursday, Sec. Mullin touted cooperation with local, county, and state law enforcement agencies for the operation’s success. “We were able to make the Lone Star state safer,” he said, before taking aim at sanctuary politicians who refuse to cooperate with ICE.

“This is what law and order looks like. This is what safety looks like. And when you support sanctuary policies, you’re supporting gang bangers, child pedophiles, rapists, Cartels, and organized crime,” Mullin added.

Sanctuary policies are not humanitarian, he said, but rather a “safe haven” for “criminals to call home” and “terrorize” the community.

ICE Field Office Director for Dallas Miguel Vergara told reporters that the agency’s five Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) offices in Texas made targeted arrests of illegal immigrants who posed threats to public and national safety. This included previously deported felons who have been convicted of violent crimes.

Federal officials emphasized ICE’s 287(g) program, which delegates certain immigration enforcement authorities to state and local police. This includes identifying and processing removable illegal aliens with pending or active criminal charges, enforcing limited immigration enforcement with ICE oversight, and serving and executing administrative warrants on removable aliens in jail, according to the ICE website.

More than 29,000 state and local officers have been deputized by ICE through the program.

The record-setting number of arrests in Texas comes just days before the 2026 midterm elections. President Trump and Republican candidates have repeatedly stressed that strict immigration enforcement measures are on the table this election season, warning against voting for Democrats who would open the country's borders to third-world criminals and/or grant amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Members of the public can report immigration-related crimes or suspicious activity by calling (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.