Immigration Arrests 646 Undocumented Migrants with Criminal Charges in Houston, Texas

• ICE Arrests Hundreds of Undocumented Individuals.
• All Have Criminal Charges.
• Raids Continue in Texas.

U.S. immigration authorities arrested 646 undocumented immigrants during various operations.

These were carried out from February 23 to March 2 in the Houston (Texas) area and surrounding regions, as announced by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The raids, conducted in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, resulted in the detention of 543 individuals with criminal records.

Among them were seven gang members, according to a statement from the federal agency.

ICE Arrests Hundreds of Undocumented Immigrants

Among those arrested, according to ICE, are 140 undocumented immigrants accused or convicted of «serious or violent offenses» such as homicide, aggravated assault, or domestic violence.

Additionally, 34 were accused or convicted of «sexual offenses or crimes against minors» such as aggravated sexual assault of a minor, possession of child pornography, or rape.

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Also listed are 38 detainees convicted of firearm-related offenses, such as illegal carrying, among others.

The operation also led to the detention of about 200 undocumented immigrants «accused or convicted of narcotics-related offenses such as drug trafficking or possession of controlled substances».

«In recent years, some of the world’s most dangerous fugitives, members of transnational gangs, and undocumented individuals with criminal records have taken advantage of the crisis at the southern border to enter the United States,» stated Bret Bradford, an ICE official in Houston.

One of the communities affected by the recent raids led by ICE is Colony Ridge.

A town north of Houston with a population of over 400,000 people, predominantly of Hispanic origin.

This area has attracted the attention of the Republican Party for at least two years.

This follows a shooting that caused five fatalities, perpetrated by an individual without legal immigration status in the country.

Following that incident, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has described the community as a «lawless zone».

Additionally, he has repeatedly, without showing evidence, claimed that there are criminal gangs there funded by Mexican cartels.

The area has also become a target of claims by analysts and Republican politicians, who describe it as a «colony» of undocumented individuals in need of ICE raids.

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