Federal immigration authorities have carried out a series of large-scale enforcement actions across several states in recent weeks, with officials reporting thousands of arrests tied to a nationwide focus on criminal illegal aliens, trafficking networks, and cartel-linked activity.
The operations follow President Donald Trump’s directives prioritizing offenders connected to narco-terrorism, child exploitation, and organized criminal networks.
In Houston, Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported nearly 3,600 arrests in a single coordinated operation.
According to ICE, the group included 51 individuals with child-sex offenses and 67 convicted sex offenders.
Officials tied the action to the administration’s renewed emphasis on targeting cartel supply chains and human trafficking infrastructure.
Authorities cited Houston’s longstanding role as a major distribution hub for both drugs and human trafficking.
JUST IN: INCREDIBLE victory as ICE arrested nearly 3,600 criminal illegal aliens in HOUSTON during the federal government shutdown
Wow! They put in the WORK while Democrats shut down the country.
It includes 51 child predators and 67 s*x offenders pic.twitter.com/rudic0DbEl [1]
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 18, 2025 [2]
The operation in Houston followed actions conducted the previous week in multiple regions.
Those actions included welfare-fraud raids that authorities said recovered more than 24,400 missing migrant children from trafficking and exploitation networks across several states.
Federal officials characterized those raids as part of the same broader enforcement campaign.
Other states reported coordinated activity as well.
In Florida, the Highway Patrol’s “Operation Criminal Return” resulted in the arrest of 230 criminal aliens.
State officials said the individuals included multiple child predators and sex offenders who were subsequently transferred to ICE for deportation.
Florida authorities reported more than 6,200 illegal aliens arrested statewide in recent weeks and turned over to federal officers.
Operation Criminal Return has successfully removed 230 criminal aliens — many of whom were sexual predators — off the streets.
The joint operation between FDLE and ICE demonstrates the positive results of our state-federal collaboration on interior enforcement efforts. pic.twitter.com/vI8JuWCcVa [3]
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) November 13, 2025 [4]
Federal agents also conducted a concentrated effort in Charlotte, North Carolina, where 130 illegal migrants were arrested over a single weekend.
According to officials, many of those taken into custody had prior criminal histories involving assaults, DUIs, larcenies, and hit-and-runs.
BREAKING: ICE just CONFIRMED they’re targeting EMPLOYERS of illegal aliens, even if the migrant workers don’t have a “criminal record”
MUSIC to my ears!
“To employers who employ and attract a lot of these illegal aliens that come in and steal American jobs, we’re going to… pic.twitter.com/p7Vgp4UMYd [5]
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 17, 2025 [6]
CBP Charlotte Area Port Director Gregory Bovino said, “We do expect that number to go up a lot,” noting that nearly 100 arrests occurred within hours of the operation’s launch.
Officials said the rapid pace of enforcement created a visible deterrent effect in surrounding neighborhoods.
You’re welcome. https://t.co/exofytTy8E [7]
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) November 19, 2025 [8]
Border Czar Tom Homan responded to criticism from Rep. Alma Adams of North Carolina following the arrests in her district.
Adams had raised concerns after agents removed individuals described by authorities as convicted child rapists and murderers.
“She can dislike it all she wants… You’d think she’d be hand-in-hand with us, thanking President Trump for focusing on the worst of the worst — child rapists and murderers,” Homan said.
He added that Adams “needs to understand we’re enforcing the law. I mean, what other federal agency does she think should NOT enforce laws? We’re taking public safety threats out of her community every day, which makes her community safer. We’d like her to be a partner, but she doesn’t want it.”
JUST IN: Tom Homan is DONE with Democrat officials’ BS and whining about federal agents removing child r*pists and illegal alien criminals from their communities
“We’re going to KEEP doing it. She can dislike it all she wants!”
“You THINK she’d be hand in hand with us,… pic.twitter.com/6Ft6w67Vpz [9]
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 18, 2025 [10]
Federal officials described the recent actions as part of a coordinated national strategy involving partnerships between federal agencies and state law enforcement in jurisdictions seeking additional support.
Authorities said the effort specifically targets individuals connected to trafficking, cartel activity, and prior criminal convictions.
Operations in Houston, Florida, and Charlotte mark the latest steps in what officials described as a continuing initiative.
Federal authorities reported that additional actions are expected as agencies pursue cases linked to broader trafficking and criminal networks identified in recent investigations.