U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested more than 4,000 people in a 10-day effort in Texas called "Lone Star Mission," according to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. He said the total was more than 4,100 and that all five ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations offices in Texas took part.
Mullin said more than 60 percent of those arrested had a criminal background. Arrests included alleged murderers, sexual assaults suspects, drunk drivers and alien smugglers. He said the remaining 40 percent had entered the country illegally. Miguel Vergara, director of ERO Dallas, said the effort targeted people who posed a threat to national security or public safety, had long criminal histories, or had a final order of removal.
Mullin also criticized sanctuary policies in Democrat-led cities, saying they create safe havens for crime. Bret Bradford, field office director of ERO Houston, said there is still more work to be done.