El Paso Standard

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with the assistance of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), conducted an enforcement operation in Sterling, Virginia, resulting in the arrest of three individuals illegally present in the country. The operation took place on February 19.

Russ Hott, Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Washington, D.C., stated: “These three fugitives were illegally present in the Northern Virginia area in violation of U.S. immigration laws.” He further emphasized ICE's mission to ensure community safety by removing those who violate immigration laws: “ICE Washington, D.C.’s mission is to ensure the safety and security of our District of Columbia and Virginia communities through the arrest and removal of those individuals who undermine the safety of our communities and the integrity of our laws. Those who flagrantly violate U.S. laws should expect to be arrested and removed.”

The arrests included a 49-year-old Salvadoran national who had previously been deported to El Salvador in September 2003 but re-entered the United States illegally. Additionally, a 34-year-old Honduran national was detained; this individual had been ordered removed from the country by an immigration judge with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review in November 2024. Lastly, a 36-year-old Salvadoran national was apprehended; this person had also been ordered removed by an immigration judge back in November 2006.

ICE encourages public cooperation by reporting crimes or suspicious activities through their hotline at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or via their online tip form.

For more information about ICE’s efforts to enhance public safety, follow them on X at @EROWashington.