ICE Arrests Undocumented Migrants with Criminal Charges in Texas
ICE Conducts Immigration Enforcement Actions in Texas
Table of Contents
Date: 2025-03-10
Recent ICE Activity in Texas
Recent immigration enforcement actions by ICE have taken place in Texas, resulting in numerous arrests. These operations target undocumented immigrants, with a focus on those with criminal records.
ICE Arrests Undocumented Immigrants Under Executive Order
In January 2025, ICE conducted raids in Texas cities, leading to the arrest and detention of thousands of undocumented immigrants under President Trump’s executive order.
ICE Operation in South and Central Texas Nets 145 Arrests
During a seven-day operation, ICE arrested 145 individuals in South and Central Texas. The breakdown of those arrested includes:
- 86 with criminal convictions
- 39 arrested based on previous immigration encounters (four with pending criminal charges)
- 20 with no prior immigration history or encounters (one with pending criminal charges)
Of the total arrests, 135 were men and 10 were women, ranging in age from 18 to 62 years old.
ICE Arrests in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area
Over a weekend, ICE agents arrested nearly 90 illegal immigrants in North Texas as part of a nationwide immigration crackdown.
Details from Houston ICE Raids
From February 23 to March 2, U.S. immigration authorities arrested 646 undocumented immigrants during several operations in the Houston area, according to ICE.
These raids, executed in conjunction with other law enforcement, resulted in the detention of 543 individuals with criminal backgrounds, including seven gang members, according to a federal agency statement.
Among those detained, according to ICE, are 140 undocumented immigrants accused or convicted of “delitos graves o violentos” (serious or violent crimes) such as homicide, aggravated assault, or domestic violence; 34 accused or convicted of “delitos sexuales o contra menores” (sexual offenses or against minors) such as aggravated sexual assault of a minor, possession of child pornography, or rape.
Additionally, 38 detainees were convicted of firearms-related offenses, such as illegal carrying, among others.
The operation also led to the detention of approximately 200 undocumented immigrants “acusados o condenados por delitos relacionados con narcóticos” (accused or convicted of narcotics-related offenses) such as drug trafficking or possession of controlled substances.
En los últimos años, algunos de los fugitivos más peligrosos del mundo, miembros de pandillas transnacionales e indocumentados con antecedentes criminales han aprovechado la crisis en la frontera sur para ingresar a Estados Unidos.
Bret Bradford, ICE Houston
Community Impact
One of the communities affected by the recent ICE raids is Colony Ridge, a town north of Houston with a population of over 400,000 people, predominantly of hispanic origin.
This area has garnered attention, notably after a shooting that resulted in five fatalities, perpetrated by an individual without legal immigration status.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has described the community as a zone ”al margen de la ley” (outside the law) and has stated, without providing evidence, that criminal gangs exist ther, funded by Mexican cartels.
The area has also become the subject of scrutiny by analysts and Republican politicians, who label it as a “colonia” (colony) of undocumented individuals.
ICE Conducts Immigration Enforcement Actions in Texas: Your Questions answered
This article addresses frequently asked questions regarding recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Texas.
Recent ICE Activity in Texas
What is ICE and what is its role in Texas?
U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE) is a federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws within the United States.In Texas,ICE conducts operations to identify,arrest,and deport individuals who are in violation of these laws,with a focus on those who pose a threat to national security or public safety.