In an exclusive embed with Fox News, Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Houston provided insight into their intensified efforts targeting criminal illegal immigrants. ERO Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford reported a significant increase in arrests, roughly two to three times the usual number, due to this renewed focus.

One operation involved Manuel Rivera-Perdomo, a 30-year-old twice-deported individual from El Salvador with a conviction for sexual assault of a child. ICE officers strategically planned and executed his arrest outside his residence. Rivera-Perdomo is currently held at the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, Texas, awaiting the outcome of his immigration proceedings.

Director Bradford emphasized that the goal is not to instill fear, but to enhance community safety by removing individuals posing public safety and national security threats. He highlighted the collaborative efforts with other federal agencies such as the FBI, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This cooperation was evident in the apprehension of two suspects linked to Tren de Aragua by the FBI Houston, who were subsequently transferred to ICE custody.

Another target was Valente Cambron-Villa, a previously deported Mexican national with an alien smuggling conviction. After days of surveillance to ensure a safe arrest, officers apprehended Cambron-Villa outside his home. Bradford underscored the importance of removing such individuals to prevent further criminal activity and emphasized the rewarding nature of protecting communities.

This intensified focus on criminal illegal immigrants reflects ICE's commitment to public safety and national security, leveraging interagency cooperation and strategic planning to apprehend individuals deemed threats to the community.