The Office of the United States Attorney Eastern District of Arkansas has shared the following information:
In a groundbreaking collaborative effort, law enforcement agencies in Arkansas have arrested 219 illegal immigrants over the course of three weeks. The operation, known as “Operation Enforce and Remove,” involved the participation of all federal law enforcement agencies in Arkansas, as well as the Arkansas State Police and the state’s 19 Judicial Drug Task Forces. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Clay Fowlkes, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, jointly announced the successful conclusion of this operation.
Apart from immigration enforcement, the task forces also apprehended 253 individuals suspected of drug crimes, resulting in the seizure of approximately 15,000 pounds of illicit drugs valued at millions of dollars. Additionally, 43 firearms were confiscated during the operation. This comprehensive effort demonstrates the commitment of Arkansas law enforcement to ensuring public safety and upholding federal immigration laws.
During a three-week enforcement operation that began on February 5, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Task Forces, and Arkansas State Police, successfully apprehended 219 illegal immigrants. These efforts were part of President Donald Trump’s executive orders to prioritize the enforcement of immigration laws, resulting in a total of 375 arrests in Arkansas since January 21.
U.S. Attorney Ross stated that on January 21, a memo was issued by the Department of Justice to all its components, including U.S. Attorney’s Offices, DEA, FBI, ATF, and U.S. Marshals. The memo instructed each agency to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in order to prioritize immigration-related investigations and prosecutions at the federal, state, and local levels.
The memo addressed changes in policy as a response to the President’s Executive Orders on day one. It offered guidance crucial to the Department’s mission of combating three significant threats that pose a serious danger to the American people. These threats include cartels and other transnational criminal organizations that have contributed to unsafe borders and a large influx of illegal immigration, violating U.S. laws. Additionally, the memo highlighted the issue of brutal and intolerable violent crimes committed by members of these organizations and illegal immigrants. Lastly, it emphasized the pressing concern of the fentanyl crisis and the opioid epidemic, which have caused immense harm to our communities, resulting in addiction, suffering, and a tragic loss of lives.
The U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Arkansas, together with federal law enforcement partners, are committed to eradicating threats to national security. In collaboration with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), they will prioritize the enforcement of immigration and drug-and-violent crime laws mandated by Congress. By joining forces with state and local law enforcement officials, they are confident that this initial operation will pave the way for future successful operations.
“Our top priority is to protect the communities in western Arkansas by implementing stronger immigration enforcement measures,” stated U.S. Attorney Fowlkes. “We are fully committed to upholding the law and ensuring public safety, all while adhering to the highest standards of law enforcement and prosecution. By working closely with our federal law enforcement partners, we will effectively tackle the issues surrounding illegal immigration and safeguard our communities from criminals who attempt to unlawfully enter the United States, posing a serious threat with their criminal activities and associated violence.”
ICE, in collaboration with other federal and local partners, gathered intelligence on the whereabouts of undocumented immigrants in preparation for “Operation Enforce and Remove.” The targeted individuals had prior encounters with law enforcement and their known addresses were available in various databases. Among them were individuals who had been convicted of crimes or had some kind of previous contact with law enforcement. All of them were residing in the country illegally and would be deported. Out of the 219 arrests made during the enforcement operation, 127 were processed through the ICE Enforcement and Removal office in Little Rock, 57 through the Fayetteville office, 23 through the Fort Smith office, and 17 through the Texarkana office.
According to recent data, Arkansas is home to illegal immigrants from 23 different countries. These individuals have been involved in a range of criminal activities, including battery, aggravated assault, robbery, drug possession and distribution, domestic violence, sexual assault, illegal firearm possession, running an illegal casino, forgery, hit-and-run incidents, indecent exposure, and even sexual assault against minors.
“We are committed to utilizing all available tools and resources in our ongoing efforts to identify, locate, and apprehend criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety,” affirmed Larry Adams, Assistant Field Office Director at ICE. “Our determination to enforce the law remains steadfast, and we are dedicated to safeguarding our communities.”
While ICE was busy with immigration operations, officers from the Drug Task Force were actively involved in carrying out multiple drug investigations. These investigations included highway interdiction, controlled purchases of narcotics, executing search warrants, and other methods aimed at apprehending individuals involved in drug trafficking. The efforts of these officers led to the arrests of 253 individuals related to drug offenses and the seizure of 43 guns. Additionally, a significant quantity of drugs were confiscated statewide, including 225 pounds of methamphetamine, 65 pounds of cocaine, 14,542 pounds of marijuana, as well as 2,681 fentanyl pills and 90 grams of fentanyl powder. These drugs, when broken down to a user level, have a potential street value of hundreds of millions of dollars. Depending on the specifics of each case, these individuals will face prosecution either at the state or federal level.
The Department of Justice’s mission to ensure the safety of all Arkansans has been furthered with the announcement of 472 arrests, marking the successful outcome of a collaborative effort between federal and state law enforcement agencies. This operation represents just the beginning of ongoing initiatives aimed at maintaining public safety in Arkansas.