A massive law enforcement agency in the Plum Grove, Texas plot has led to the arrests of nearly 120 illegal aliens, including members of MS-13 who were accused of murder, who were taken six times from the US before being arrested again this week.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Department of Homeland Security and the Liberty County Sheriff's Office were arrested Monday for 118 illegal immigrants, including 34-year-old Luis Miguel Perez Maranda of El Salvador.
Perez Miranda is said to have caused a manhunt by authorities in Dayton, Texas, killing a man from the Houston area of the Colony Ridge area. He was eventually caught and taken to the Liberty County Jail.
Texas Department of Homeland Security agents arrest around 90 illegal immigrants
“Even though some people try to spread misinformation and rumors about brave men and women who work for the ice, they continue to work every day and risk their lives to make our community safer,” said Brett Bradford, Houston Field Office Director of Ice Enforcement and Removal Operations.
“Without their incredible sacrifice and commitment to carrying out their mission at the highest level, this dangerous MS-13 gang member is still large in the community that allegedly slaughtered an innocent man earlier in the day, poses a potential threat to all Houstonians he encounters.”
Luis Miguel Perez Miranda was arrested Monday as part of an operation by ICE and other agencies, allegedly murdering a Houston man. (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency)
Ice said Perez Myranda illegally entered the United States at least seven times and was expelled from the country in August 2021. Ice said it was moved to El Salvador in September 2009, August 2014, July 2016, March 2019 and 2023.
His previous convictions include drug trafficking, possession of drugs and illegal entry into the United States.
Early Monday morning, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that state officials working with the Department of Homeland Security are engaged in immigration and law enforcement activities at Colony Ridge.
Texas Governor Announces Repression of a Large Illegal Immigrant Community Near Major City
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that an illegal immigration operation near Houston, a region known as the colony, has arrested 118 suspected illegal immigrants. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images/Ice)
“Colony Ridge is being targeted today,” Republican Abbott announced on X on Monday.
Colony Ridge, less than an hour's drive from Houston, Texas' largest city, is a residential development that advertises in Spanish for high-quality land with low payments. It is believed that there are thousands of illegal immigrants living in the community, which also reportedly shows that the cartel's activities are important and there is little police presence.
Border Emperor Tom Homan told Fox News that the operation was part of a massive criminal investigation into the network, with many of the interested people in the Colony Ridge area.
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An illegal foreigner is arrested and escorted by law enforcement during an operation in Houston. (Fox News)
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.
“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.
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ICE has stated that the arrested people's accusations and convictions include criminal sexual conduct, murder, theft, manslaughter, child sexual abuse, crimes of moral confusion, weapons and drug crimes.
Peter Pinedo of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
