The Trump Administration launched a major deportation operation on Thursday, targeting individuals in the U.S. illegally, including many with criminal records. According to the White House, 538 people were arrested in the operation, which included a suspected terrorist, members of the Tren de Aragua gang, and individuals convicted of crimes like sexual abuse against minors. Tren de Aragua is a violent gang that originated in Venezuela and has recently spread to the U.S.
Of the 538 arrests, 373 involved individuals with criminal records, while 165 were for immigration violations. A senior official also confirmed that over 1,000 people were deported or repatriated during the operation.
Among the arrests were several serious offenders. In Buffalo, New York, ICE arrested a 23-year-old from Ecuador convicted of rape and a man from the Dominican Republic convicted of continuous sexual abuse of a child. In San Francisco, another individual convicted of abusing a child under 14 years old was arrested.
The deportation effort included two flights overnight, both to Guatemala, according to defense and Guatemalan officials. Three flights carrying deportees landed in Guatemala on Friday, transporting a total of 265 individuals.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the operation as “the largest deportation operation in history.” She confirmed that military aircraft were being used to carry out these deportations, an approach approved under the Trump administration. President Trump praised the operation, stating, “We’re getting the bad, hard criminals out,” and emphasized that dangerous individuals were being prioritized.
The administration’s crackdown on immigration follows President Trump’s campaign promise to overhaul the immigration system. A series of executive actions were signed this week to enforce stricter immigration policies.
Meanwhile, Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for allegedly detaining people without warrants. He claimed a U.S. military veteran was among those detained in a local raid, raising concerns about the tactics being used in the operation.
The United States is estimated to have around 11 million undocumented immigrants, many of whom have lived in the country for years. While the administration has focused on deporting individuals with criminal records, the operation has also impacted others, sparking debates over immigration policies.
