In a collaborative effort to address criminal activity among non-citizens, the FBI is working alongside the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other law enforcement agencies in a nationwide operation targeting individuals with criminal records and outstanding deportation orders. Acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll confirmed the bureau's commitment, stating that all 55 FBI field divisions are actively supporting DHS in this initiative.
The FBI's involvement provides DHS with significant resources, including tactical teams and intelligence networks, enhancing the capabilities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other partner agencies. This joint effort aims to apprehend individuals deemed high-risk, often referred to as "the worst of the worst."
A recent example of this collaboration took place in New York City, where the joint operation resulted in the apprehension of numerous suspects, including a 25-year-old alleged member of the Tren de Aragua gang. This individual, believed to have been involved in a violent incident in Colorado, was apprehended in a Bronx apartment located near a school.
The nationwide operation extends beyond New York. In El Paso, Texas, a joint effort involving the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, ICE, and its Enforcement Removal Operations division led to the arrest of a suspect accused of operating a stash house for human smugglers.
Driscoll emphasized the importance of interagency cooperation, stating that combining resources and expertise is crucial for protecting Americans from threats posed by groups like ISIS and dismantling criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua. He highlighted the collaborative efforts with DHS, the intelligence community, and law enforcement partners across the country.
In Chicago, the FBI contributed intelligence, tactical SWAT team members, and legal experts to assist in apprehending individuals suspected of criminal activities. In New York, they provided advanced tactical support and established a city-wide crisis management coordination center.
Driscoll reiterated the FBI's ongoing commitment to supporting DHS in this operation. According to ICE, the operations conducted nationwide over the past week have resulted in the apprehension of approximately 5,500 individuals suspected of criminal activity.
