Federal immigration agents conducted a two-week operation in Virginia and Maryland, resulting in the arrest of over 1,300 undocumented immigrants, though the operation’s details were only shared after it wrapped up.
On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed that its initiative, dubbed Operation Safe Community, Washington, D.C., led to 1,328 arrests from August 1 to August 14. According to Fox News, federal sources described this operation as one of the agency’s most successful efforts, with most enforcement actions concentrated in the suburbs of D.C., but also extending to other parts of Maryland and Virginia, as reported by WJLA.
Approximately 400 of those arrested had prior criminal convictions or pending charges. The types of convictions included robbery, identity theft, hit-and-run incidents, driving under the influence, kidnapping, and sexual offenses. Previous arrest records among individuals detained included serious crimes like murder and attempted murder.
The operation also saw the arrest of individuals connected to gangs such as MS-13 and the 18th Street Gang. For instance, Eygner Wilfredo Huezo-Moran, a Salvadoran wanted for murder in Richmond, was apprehended in Chesterfield while authorities conducted joint operations with U.S. Marshals. After his arrest, he was handed over to local law enforcement, and ICE placed a detainer for him pending removal after the conclusion of his criminal case.
The heroes of @ICEgov arrested OVER 1,300 illegal aliens in just two weeks in Maryland and Virginia.
Illegal aliens have NO PLACE in our communities: we will hunt them down and REMOVE them. pic.twitter.com/tqToEuZGQc
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 24, 2026
Additionally, two individuals remain in federal custody. Actionel Pierre, a Haitian national arrested in Wicomico County, has an extensive criminal record including attempted murder and assault. Estrella Reyes-Funez from Honduras, taken into custody in Harrisonburg, has a felony hit-and-run conviction and a history of various charges including threats related to explosives and violent behavior towards a relative.
Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin praised the efforts of ICE personnel. “The brave men and women of ICE are hard at work every single day getting these dangerous illegal aliens out of our country,” he stated, emphasizing a prioritization of American citizens’ safety over those of undocumented immigrants amidst opposition from some local politicians.
Patricia Hyde, Acting Assistant Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, credited the success to the agency’s operational methods, noting that the officers excel at locating individuals who prefer to evade capture. DHS acknowledged the challenges posed by sanctuary laws in various counties within Maryland and Virginia.
In February, Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger ended Virginia’s 287(g) agreements, which previously allowed local corrections officers to collaborate with ICE on immigration enforcement. At the time, Republican House Leader Terry Kilgore stated that this move effectively made Virginia a sanctuary state, a label Spanberger has disputed, maintaining that “Virginia is not a sanctuary state, full stop.”
