ICE Operation Apprehends Nearly 700 Undocumented Individuals in West Virginia Two-Week Surge
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A sweeping two-week enforcement surge by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has resulted in the arrest of nearly 700 foreign nationals across West Virginia. The operation, coordinated by ICE’s Philadelphia Field Office in conjunction with local law enforcement, took place between January 5 and January 19, targeting multiple cities including Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, and Martinsburg.
Operational Details and High-Profile Arrests
Federal authorities confirmed that more than 650 individuals were taken into custody during the blitz. The operation utilized the 287(g) program, a partnership that delegates federal immigration enforcement authority to state and local officers. Among those apprehended were individuals with significant criminal histories.
ICE officials highlighted several specific arrests to underscore the operation’s focus on public safety. These included a Chinese national convicted of child endangerment and an Indian national arrested under “Operation ICE Wall,” a sub-initiative targeting commercial vehicle safety. The latter was a truck driver stopped for safety violations who was found to have been previously ordered removed from the country. Another detainee was identified as a convicted child sex offender.
Acting Field Office Director for ERO Philadelphia, Michael Rose, praised the collaboration, stating that the partnership with West Virginia law enforcement enhanced the integrity of the immigration system and expanded local capacity to identify and process those present unlawfully.
Legal Challenges and Constitutional Objections
Despite the scale of the operation, the surge has faced immediate legal pushback and criticism regarding due process. In the wake of the arrests, federal courts have intervened in several cases. U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin recently ordered the release of multiple detainees, including a Venezuelan citizen and a Honduran immigrant, citing constitutional violations.
Legal advocates and the court have raised objections regarding the manner of detention. Judge Goodwin’s rulings emphasized that individuals on U.S. soil, regardless of legal status, are protected by the Fifth Amendment. The judge criticized the government for detaining individuals “without explanation, without a hearing, without notice, or without any means of challenging that detention.”
Furthermore, the influx of nearly 700 detainees has placed a strain on West Virginia’s regional jail system. Critics argue that the rapid increase in the inmate population exacerbates existing overcrowding issues and complicates the legal processing required for each case.
Background on Enforcement in the Region
This operation marks a significant escalation in immigration enforcement within West Virginia, a state that has increasingly cooperated with federal immigration authorities under the leadership of Governor Patrick Morrisey. The 287(g) agreements allow local police to act as a force multiplier for ICE, a dynamic that state officials argue is necessary to combat crime and drug trafficking. However, the recent federal court orders suggest that the aggressive implementation of these measures may face continued scrutiny to ensure they comply with constitutional standards.
newsfromthestates.com
borderhawk.news
youtube.com
ice.gov
wvpublic.org
youtube.com
youtube.com
youtube.com
newsandsentinel.com
cbc.ca
mountainstatespotlight.org
