Exclusive: Immigration Enforcement Operation in Houston

In a recent operation, immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) officials in Houston arrested 422 individuals suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. This week-long initiative specifically targeted some of the most serious offenders, including individuals wanted in Colombia for murder.

During this operation, ICE was accompanied for ten hours by reporters as officers apprehended a suspect who claimed threats were made against him in his own apartment. According to Brett Bradford, director of ICE in Houston, one individual had a history of serious crimes, having been convicted of murder in Colombia and sentenced to 21 years. He entered the U.S. illegally in February 2024, received a court date for an immigration hearing but failed to attend. As a result, he was ordered removed by a U.S. immigration judge in March of this year.

Notably, ICE reported that they deported 174 criminal immigrants from Texas. Among these were individuals with up to 39 prior illegal entries.

Reflecting on the importance of public safety, Bradford mentioned that 262 arrests made during the operation involved individuals with prior felony convictions. Additionally, 34 individuals had pending convictions, while 126 faced other immigration violations. There were also 229 people who received final removal orders.

Among those apprehended was a 72-year-old Mexican immigrant who had been removed from the U.S. in 2018 and had a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for murder, robbery, and assault.

Another suspect, a 40-year-old man named Hector Castillo-Garcia, attempted to flee in his car and later on foot before being caught. Castillo-Garcia had a history of multiple felony convictions in the U.S., including charges related to assault and drunk driving.

ICE’s Houston Field Office is focused on identifying and targeting the most dangerous individuals. Analysts in the operation center conduct research to ensure they have credible information on threats to public safety. Bradford noted that understanding an individual’s movements and behaviors is essential for making successful apprehensions.

In an effort to streamline the deportation process, ICE has implemented a “hub-and-spoke” system. This approach facilitates quicker relocation of individuals with final removal orders.

Bradford explained the process, stating that they aim to arrest and process individuals efficiently, potentially transporting them back to their countries on the same day to save taxpayer resources.

Total Number of Arrests by ICE Houston during the Operation: 422

Breakdown of Arrests:

• Criminal Convictions: 262
• Pending Convictions: 34
• Other Immigration Violations: 126
• Final Removal Orders: 229

Details of Criminal Convictions:

• Aggravated Assault: 24
• Assault: 35
• Robbery: 6
• Driving While Intoxicated: 48
• Drug-Related Crimes: 37
• Fraud: 10
• Interference/Resisting Arrest: 21
• Murder: 1
• Sexual Assault (Adult): 6
• Sexual Assault (Child): 5
• Alien Smuggling: 10
• Terroristic Threat: 5
• Vehicle Theft: 6
• Weapon Violations: 9

Arrested Gang Members/Affiliates: 5