FOX EXCLUSIVE: ICE arrests four illegal migrants convicted of child molestation in blue state
An exclusive operation conducted by Baltimore ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officials resulted in the arrest of eight migrants in suburban Maryland, including four individuals convicted of child molestation and one murderer. The arrests took place during a ride-along with Fox News, providing a firsthand look at the agency’s efforts.
Among those apprehended was a migrant convicted of sexual abuse of a minor and multiple instances of exposing himself in public. Another individual, originally from the Philippines, had a prior conviction for molesting a 10-year-old girl. Additionally, one of the migrants had been convicted of murder and was residing in the U.S. on a permanent visa status.
“The people we are targeting are the worst of the worst,” stated Baltimore field office Director Matthew Elliston. “If we are targeting you, there is a reason.” The primary objective of the Baltimore ICE Field Office is to arrest and deport as many illegal migrants with criminal backgrounds as possible. The agency successfully captured all eight targets on their list during the operation.
Now in custody, the arrested migrants await hearings before immigration judges and face potential deportation. ICE data obtained by the House Homeland Security Committee revealed that there are approximately 650,000 criminal illegal immigrants on the agency’s “non-detained docket,” with over 14,000 individuals convicted of murder and more than 20,000 with convictions for sexual assault.
Despite not being officially designated as a sanctuary state, Maryland, under the leadership of Democratic Governor Wes Moore, is considered immigrant-friendly. The city of Baltimore has a policy that prohibits law enforcement from inquiring about residents’ immigration status. In fiscal year 2024, Baltimore ERO arrested 570 migrants with criminal convictions or pending charges, according to ICE data.
The enforcement operation underscores the ongoing efforts to address the issue of criminal migrants residing in the U.S. interior. With a focus on public safety and national security, ICE continues to target individuals with violent criminal histories for removal from the country.
Peter Pinedo, a politics writer for Fox News Digital, contributed to this article.
