Federal immigration authorities announced the results of a large-scale enforcement operation in West Virginia that led to more than 650 arrests between January 5 and January 19. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) worked alongside 14 federal, state, and local agencies during the coordinated effort, which focused on multiple cities across the state, including Charleston, Martinsburg, Beckley, Moorefield, Morgantown, and Huntington.
According to ICE, those arrested included individuals identified as public safety or national security concerns, as well as people who were allegedly in the country unlawfully. Officials said the operation proceeded without major public disruptions and emphasized that it was carried out through joint planning and cooperation among participating agencies.
ICE highlighted several cases as examples of the enforcement activity. One involved an Indian national who had previously been ordered removed and was arrested during a traffic-related encounter. Another involved a Chinese national who had a prior conviction for child endangerment. Authorities stated that these arrests were part of broader efforts to enforce existing immigration laws.
Michael Rose, acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Philadelphia, said the operation demonstrated how collaboration between ICE and local law enforcement can support public safety. He noted that training and cooperation under the federal 287(g) program helped expand local capacity to identify and process individuals suspected of immigration violations while adhering to legal standards.
Local officials also commented on the operation. Jefferson County Sheriff Tom Hansen said his department worked closely with ICE agents over the two-week period and praised their professionalism and interaction with the community. He added that the collaboration resulted in the removal of individuals his office considered a threat to public safety.
State and federal leaders echoed similar sentiments. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey and U.S. Attorneys Matthew L. Harvey and Moore Capito each issued statements emphasizing the importance of interagency cooperation. They said the operation reflected a shared commitment to enforcing federal law and maintaining public safety across the state, while underscoring the ongoing role of partnerships between local, state, and federal authorities.
