WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) unveiled a series of enforcement initiatives and operational updates last week, signaling a significant expansion of federal and state collaboration on immigration enforcement, detention capacity, and public safety measures.
Expanded Support for State and Local Law Enforcement
On September 2, DHS announced new reimbursement opportunities for state and local law enforcement agencies working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the 287(g) Program Task Force Model. The initiative provides training, tools, and financial support to officers who assist in identifying and removing individuals convicted of violent crimes, including murder, sexual assault, and drug trafficking.
Under the new program, ICE will fully reimburse participating agencies for the salaries and benefits of trained officers and provide quarterly performance-based incentives. Currently, more than 8,500 officers across 40 states are trained under the 287(g) model, with another 2,000 in training. DHS officials say participation has grown over 600% since the administration’s expansion of the program began.
High-Profile Arrests Over Labor Day Weekend
Throughout the holiday weekend, ICE conducted nationwide operations targeting individuals convicted of serious offenses. Arrests included those charged with homicide, sexual exploitation of minors, aggravated assault, and large-scale drug trafficking.
Among those detained:
- Ricardo Duque-Rivas (Mexico) — convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Texas.
- Byron Ortega-Gonzalez (El Salvador) — convicted of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor in Illinois.
- Luis Zamora-Rodriguez (Mexico) — convicted of attempted homicide in Oregon.
- Kevin Perez-Lorenzo (Dominican Republic) — convicted of heroin trafficking in Massachusetts.
- Theophilis Anwana (Nigeria) — convicted of second-degree rape in Maryland.
ICE officials highlighted these operations as part of ongoing efforts to prioritize the removal of individuals with significant criminal histories.
“Louisiana Lockup” Expands Detention Capacity
On September 3, DHS announced a partnership with the state of Louisiana to expand ICE detention capacity by up to 416 beds at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as Angola Prison. Dubbed “Louisiana Lockup,” the facility will be used to detain individuals identified as posing significant public safety threats.
DHS released details on 51 detainees currently held at the facility, including 26 convicted of murder, eight of rape, and numerous others for sexual exploitation of minors and violent assaults. Officials emphasized that the new space will provide ICE with greater flexibility to detain individuals considered among the “worst of the worst.”
USCIS Gains Law Enforcement Authority
In a significant structural change, USCIS special agents were granted expanded investigative and enforcement powers under a final rule published September 4. Classified as 1811 federal agents, these officers can now conduct investigations, make arrests, execute warrants, and present cases for prosecution related to immigration law violations.
USCIS will also assume direct responsibility for handling certain immigration fraud and national security cases, streamlining operations and reducing reliance on ICE for investigative support. DHS officials stated that the change will “improve accountability, enhance interagency coordination, and accelerate case processing.”
Continued Operations Target High-Risk Offenders
ICE operations extended into last week, including arrests in Houston, New York City, San Diego, Salt Lake City, and Atlanta. Individuals taken into custody include those convicted of murder, child exploitation, aggravated robbery, and other violent crimes.
Among the recent arrests:
- Hossein Sharifi (Iran) — convicted of statutory rape and human trafficking in Georgia.
- Minh Phan (Vietnam) — convicted of first-degree murder in California.
- Adam Ahmed (Sudan) — convicted of attempted forcible sexual abuse in Utah.
- Eliseo Perez-Esquivel (Guatemala) — convicted of rape in New York.
- Agustin Martinez Jr. (Mexico) — convicted of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon in Texas.
A Broader Enforcement Strategy
The updates reflect DHS’s evolving enforcement priorities, combining expanded interagency collaboration, increased detention capacity, and a heightened focus on individuals convicted of violent crimes.
DHS officials said the measures aim to strengthen public safety while streamlining immigration enforcement. “The safety of American families comes first,” a DHS spokesperson said, underscoring the agency’s intention to maintain an aggressive approach toward individuals posing significant threats.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.