DHS Announces 5,000th Arrest in Los Angeles Immigration Crackdown

Los Angeles, CA – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today the 5,000th arrest in its ongoing Los Angeles enforcement operations, targeting individuals identified as "criminal illegal aliens." The milestone arrest was identified as Gustavo Garcia-Miranda, a convicted drug trafficker and aggravated felon from Mexico, who had previously re-entered the U.S. illegally in 2008. These operations, initiated in June, are a joint effort by U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enhance public safety.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem lauded the achievement, stating, "Today, DHS made its 5,000th arrest in Los Angeles. That is 5,000 criminal illegal aliens, gang members, child predators, and murderers taken off our streets." She emphasized the positive impact, adding, "Precious lives saved. Families protected. American taxpayers spared the cost of their crimes and the burden of their benefits." Secretary Noem also issued a stern warning, "Make no mistake: if you are here illegally, we will find you, arrest you, and send you back. This is just the beginning."

The enforcement actions have unfolded against a backdrop of significant resistance in Los Angeles, a self-declared "sanctuary city." Federal agents have faced riots and assaults while conducting arrests, with local politicians and activists opposing the federal presence. Secretary Noem has maintained that these challenges would not deter DHS from its mission to remove dangerous individuals.

The aggressive federal stance has drawn sharp criticism from some lawmakers. Representative Lou Correa (CA-46) has pressed Secretary Noem for greater transparency regarding DHS activities, particularly concerning arrests of individuals without criminal records. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) has also been a vocal critic, even being forcibly removed and briefly detained during a press conference with Secretary Noem in June, highlighting the contentious nature of these operations.

Despite the controversies and local opposition, DHS under Secretary Noem continues to assert its commitment to President Donald Trump's directive to remove what it terms the "worst of the worst" criminal illegal aliens from American communities. The department indicates that these operations are part of a broader strategy to enforce immigration laws and secure the nation.