First on FOX – About 90 illegal immigrants have been arrested in and around Colony Ridge, Texas during an operation targeting criminals and illegal immigrants, a development of Hispanics outside Houston.
Early on Monday morning, Gov. Greg Abbott announced at X that Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers and special agents were helping to conduct homeland security investigations of projects after months of planning.
“Border Czar” Tom Homan sat down at Fox News after he joined the operation and said it was part of a “bigger criminal investigation.”
Homan was unable to reveal too many details about the investigation, but he called dozens of arrests on Monday “Phase 1.” Among those arrested, Ice told Fox News. It was Florentin Chebez Luna, a three-time deported criminal, 39, from El Salvador. Ice Homeland Security Investigation and Texas DPS detained him in Plum Grove, Texas. According to ICE, he had a criminal arrest warrant allegedly repeated sexual abuse of minors over eight years from November 2008 to November 2016.
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“This is a little different today,” Homan said. “You know, this is a bigger criminal investigation into the network, and a lot of the people we were interested in were in the area.”
Homan said he is still waiting for the exact number of arrests, but the majority of illegal immigrants detained have criminal history.
“The last number I saw was about 69 criminals,” Homan said. “In fact, I know that several child sexual predators have been arrested.”
Homan said some of the illegal immigrants who were arrested had warrants and were arrested at work, while others were picked up during a traffic stop conducted by the DPS.
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An illegal foreigner has been arrested and escorted by law enforcement during an operation that took place near Houston. (Fox News)
“It wasn't a targeted community,” Homan said. “We have a specific goal we are looking for. We know exactly what we are looking for and the crimes they committed during this operation.”
According to Homan, their priorities are criminal illegal immigration and the threat of national security. However, he made it clear that everyone in the country is at risk of illegal deportation.
“Just because you prioritize one thing doesn't mean you forgetting about the other,” Homan said. “There is a law in the book. There is nothing in the Immigration Nationality Act that says that they had to commit yet another crime to be arrested by an ice officer. It is a crime to enter this country illegally. , you have problems, but we prioritize criminals and public safety.”
Activist groups were seen at Colony Ridge, reminding residents of their rights. “Remember you don't have to open the door, don't forget to keep quiet,” nonprofit Feel Houston wrote on social media.
The developer is facing federal and state lawsuits accusing Latino homebuyers of false marketing, not media attention-grabbing strangers.
Colony Ridge CEO John Harris told Fox News he is fully supporting the business.
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Law enforcement squads are parked outside their Houston, Texas residence. (Fox News)
“We are grateful for the efforts of Gov. Abbott, Tom Homan and all those involved in eradicating criminal illegals in Texas,” Harris said in a statement. “In fact, DPS executives have been working across Colony Ridge for over two years. They know who the bad guys are, so we are totally supportive of these efforts. Colony Ridge is We also know that it is one of the safest communities of its size. Everywhere in Texas, we pride ourselves on our residents and their desire to make this community a vibrant, happy and safe place to live. I think so.”
Three illegal immigrants who were deported at least four times were arrested near Colony Ridge last week, according to the Liberty County Sheriff's Office.
On February 12, lawmakers carried out a traffic stop while investigating the distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine.
The van driver was identified as Gerson Lopez Zuniga and two passengers identified by authorities as Cruz Isidro Sandoval and Adan Aguirrel Artzate.
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According to the Liberty County Sheriff's Office, one passenger admitted to having a large amount of methane in a camper trailer.
Investigators said they found 12 “Iceberg lettuce” boxes containing about 156 kilograms (344 pounds) of methamphetamine.
