A series of coordinated immigration raids across multiple U.S. cities marks the beginning of a massive deportation operation targeting illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds.
According to the New York Post, federal agents arrested approximately 50 members of the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua during a pre-dawn raid at a makeshift nightclub in Adams County, just outside Denver, Colorado.
The operation, dubbed "Return to Sender," resulted in the seizure of cash, weapons, and drugs, including a powerful narcotic known as "pink cocaine" or Tusi. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) revealed that the gang members were caught during an invite-only party, leading to their immediate apprehension and transportation via a white bus escorted by law enforcement vehicles through snowy roads.
DEA acting administrator Derek Maltz emphasized the administration's commitment to public safety and law enforcement cooperation. He detailed how the operation represents a coordinated effort between multiple federal agencies, including the DEA, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations, and ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations.
The raids specifically targeted the Tren de Aragua gang, which had established a significant presence in the Denver suburb of Aurora. Reports indicate the gang had taken control of entire neighborhoods and apartment complexes, terrorizing the local community of nearly 400,000 residents.
Similar enforcement actions across the country have resulted in approximately 600 arrests in various sanctuary cities, demonstrating the broad scope of the operation. The raids extended from the East Coast to the West Coast, with significant activity reported in New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
The White House highlighted several notable arrests during the operation, including individuals with serious criminal backgrounds. Among those detained were Edgar De La Cruz-Manzo, a Mexican national convicted of child rape, and Kevin Adith Torres-Velasquez, a Honduran national found with cocaine, fentanyl, and firearms.
Law enforcement officials also apprehended a Jordanian national with suspected ISIS ties in western New York, and an MS-13 gang member from El Salvador wanted for aggravated homicide. The operation specifically focused on individuals with existing criminal charges or standing deportation orders.
ICE Commissioner Tom Homan, alongside President Trump, affirmed their dedication to identifying, arresting, and deporting millions of undocumented immigrants who entered the country illegally. DEA acting administrator Maltz stated:
We want the country to know that we will all support the president's priority to round up the most dangerous illegal criminals. The citizens of this country must feel safe every day throughout the country. One of my goals is to help build an army of good to fight evil.
The operation's scope extended beyond major metropolitan areas, with ICE conducting targeted enforcement actions in various locations. The agency reported arrests in Seattle, New Orleans, Atlanta, Boston, and Phoenix, each involving individuals with serious criminal histories.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that these raids represent just the beginning of a sustained enforcement effort. Sources indicated that pre-dawn operations are expected to continue seven days a week for the foreseeable future.
The raids demonstrate a significant shift in immigration enforcement strategy, focusing resources on individuals deemed to pose the greatest threat to public safety. Local law enforcement agencies have been coordinating with federal authorities to facilitate these operations.
The nationwide immigration enforcement operation has resulted in the arrest of approximately 600 individuals across multiple jurisdictions, with 50 Tren de Aragua gang members apprehended in Colorado alone. The operation specifically targeted individuals with criminal backgrounds, including suspected terrorists, convicted sex offenders, and gang members. As the operation continues, federal authorities plan to maintain their aggressive stance on immigration enforcement, focusing on sanctuary cities and areas with high concentrations of criminal activity among undocumented immigrants.
