---
title: "ICE Arrests 1,328 Immigrants in Virginia and Maryland Operation"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/ice-arrests-1328-immigrants-in-virginia-and-maryland-operation"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/ice-arrests-1328-immigrants-in-virginia-and-maryland-operation"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/ice-arrests-1328-immigrants-in-virginia-and-maryland-operation.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/ice-arrests-1328-immigrants-in-virginia-and-maryland-operation"
category: "Politics"
area: "United States"
published: "2026-08-25T09:45:35.850Z"
source_reported: "2026-08-25T09:13:00.000Z"
updated: "2026-08-25T09:45:35.850Z"
trust_score: 50
critic_score: 65
hype_score: 45
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-08-25T11:38:26.891Z"
---

# ICE Arrests 1,328 Immigrants in Virginia and Maryland Operation

*Operation Safe Community targeted individuals with criminal histories and alleged gang ties.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 50 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to DHS, with two full reports and multiple independent digests.
- Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Reports include specific details on individuals arrested and their alleged crimes.
- Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use terms like 'jaw dropping' and 'extraordinary number' but the body is factual.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- ICE arrested 1,328 immigrants in Virginia and Maryland between August 1 and August 14.
- Nearly 400 of those arrested had prior convictions or pending charges in the U.S.
- Some arrested individuals were identified as alleged members of MS-13, 18th Street Gang, and Tren de Aragua.
- The operation, named 'Operation Safe Community, Washington, D.C.', focused on suburbs of Washington, D.C.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 1,328 immigrants during a two-week operation in Virginia and Maryland. The operation, called 'Operation Safe Community, Washington, D.C.', took place between August 1 and August 14 and focused on the suburbs of Washington, D.C. in both states. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that nearly 400 of those arrested had prior convictions or pending charges for crimes in the U.S.

According to the DHS, some of the individuals arrested were identified as alleged members of transnational criminal organizations, including MS-13, 18th Street Gang, and Tren de Aragua. The DHS statement also noted that arrests were made despite sanctuary policies in effect in some Maryland and Virginia counties.

## Disagreements in reporting

El Diario reported that Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin stated, “While sanctuary politicians of Virginia and Maryland continue to put the needs of illegal immigrants above the safety of the American people, the Trump Administration will always put American citizens first.” No other reports included this specific quote from Mullin.

## Omissions in coverage

None of the right-rated digests mention the specific statement by Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin that "the Trump Administration will always put American citizens first" and that "sanctuary politicians of Virginia and Maryland continue to put the needs of illegal immigrants above the safety of the American people," as reported by El Diario. Additionally, none of the right-rated digests included the perspective from immigration attorneys questioning the methods of detention, as detailed in WAGA's full report.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 33 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 9% (3)
- Centre: 30% (10)
- Right: 61% (20)

2 of 35 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-25T11:38:26.891Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 8 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-25T11:45:31.126Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated reports led on the number of arrests and the fact that nearly 400 individuals had prior convictions or pending charges. El Diario, in its full report, included quotes from Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin that framed the operation as prioritizing American citizens over undocumented immigrants and mentioned sanctuary politicians. El Diario also detailed specific individuals arrested and their alleged criminal histories, including alleged MS-13 members German Mejia-Baires and Mauricio Antonio Barrera-Navidad. NBC Washington and La Opinion digests also highlighted the total number of arrests and the presence of criminal histories among those apprehended.

### Centre

- The centre-rated reports focused on the total number of arrests and the fact that many of those apprehended had criminal histories or were members of gangs. WAGA, in its full report, provided extensive details on specific individuals arrested, their alleged crimes, and their nationalities, including Eygner Wilfredo Huezo-Moran, Actionel Pierre, Estrella Reyes-Funez, German Mejia-Baires, Mauricio Antonio Barrera-Navidad, Angel Gabriel Ortiz-Hernandez, Rowan Andrew Brown, Ronaldo Ronel Perez-Perez, and Julio Hector Carranza-Rojano. WAGA also included a section on immigration attorneys raising questions about the operation, with one attorney, Carlos Jurado, claiming a rise in the "violence, the aggressiveness and the brutality" of detentions and that some are done "in the shadows without people watching." Other centre-rated digests from Fox 5 DC, Khaama Press, Fox 10 Phoenix, WOFL, WJBK, WTXF, WNYW, KTBC, and Fox 5 Austin all reported the total number of arrests and that nearly 400 had criminal records.

### Right

- The right-rated reports highlighted the number of arrests and frequently used terms such as 'illegal immigrants' or 'illegal aliens.' Many digests noted that nearly 400 of those arrested had prior convictions or pending charges. The Daily Caller's digest stated ICE "Nabs Over 1,300 Illegals From 2 Sanctuary States In Just 14 Days." Breitbart's digest referred to "sanctuary states of Maryland and Virginia." Fox News' digest described the operation as 'jaw dropping.' Several right-rated reports, including The Daily Caller, News Addicts, American Greatness, Breitbart, Washington Times, Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion, PJ Media, and abc 7 WJLA, mentioned the total number of arrests and the presence of criminal histories among those apprehended. Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion specifically noted a Salvadoran national wanted on a murder warrant.

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- low: 6
- mixed: 11
- high: 4
- unknown: 3
- veryHigh: 11

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [The Epoch Times](https://theepochtimes.com/us/ice-arrests-more-than-1300-illegal-immigrants-in-virginia-maryland-in-2-week-operation-6079194) — ICE Arrests More Than 1,300 Illegal Immigrants in Virginia, Maryland in 2-Week Operation
- [Fox5 DC](https://fox5dc.com/video/fmc-6fbt6ii8pnpq9utt) — 1,300+ arrested in ICE operation throughout Maryland and Virginia
- [Khaama Press](https://khaama.com/ice-arrests-over-1300-in-two-week-immigration-operation-in-virginia-maryland) — ICE Arrests Over 1,300 in Two-Week Immigration Operation in Virginia, Maryland
- [The Daily Caller](https://dailycaller.com/2026/08/24/ice-operation-safe-community-virginia-maryland-1328-arrests) — ICE Nabs Over 1,300 Illegals From 2 Sanctuary States In Just 14 Days: REPORT
- [TrendingPolitics](https://trendingpoliticsnews.com/new-ice-nabs-more-than-hundreds-of-illegal-aliens-in-one-of-the-largest-single-operations-in-agency-history-cmc) — NEW: ICE Nabs Hundreds Of Illegal Aliens In One Of The Largest Targeted Operations In Agency History
- [News Addicts](https://newsaddicts.com/ice-conducts-massive-operation-arresting-over-1300-illegal-immigrants) — ICE Conducts Massive Operation, Arresting Over 1,300 Illegal Immigrants
- [GB News](https://gbnews.com/news/us/washington-dc-ice-raid-illegal-migrants-snared) — Extraordinary number of illegal migrants snared after mass ICE raid around Washington DC
- [NBC Washington](https://nbcwashington.com/news/local/1328-people-arrested-by-ice-in-maryland-and-virginia-over-2-weeks-dhs-says/4145997) — 1,328 people arrested by ICE in Maryland and Virginia over 2 weeks, DHS says
- [The National Pulse](https://thenationalpulse.com/2026/08/24/ice-nets-over-1300-illegals-in-two-week-dc-operation) — ICE Nets Over 1,300 Illegals in Two-Week DC Operation.
- [Sahara Reporters](https://saharareporters.com/2026/08/24/ice-arrested-1328-illegal-immigrants-two-week-operation-virginia-maryland-us-government) — ICE Arrested 1328 Illegal Immigrants In Two-Week Operation In Virginia, Maryland — US Government
- [[your]NEWS](https://yournews.com/2026/08/24/7175116/ice-arrests-more-than-1300-illegal-immigrants-in-two-week-washington-area) — ICE Arrests More Than 1,300 Illegal Immigrants in Two-Week Washington-Area Enforcement Operation
- [American Greatness](https://amgreatness.com/2026/08/24/over-1300-illegal-aliens-nabbed-by-ice-in-2-week-operation-in-maryland-and-virginia) — Over 1,300 Illegal Aliens Nabbed by ICE in 2-Week Operation in Maryland and Virginia › American Greatness
- [Conexión Migrante](https://conexionmigrante.com/2026-/08-/24/ice-arresta-a-mas-de-1300-inmigrantes-indocumentados-en-virginia-y-maryland) — ICE Arrests Over 1300 Undocumented Immigrants in Virginia and Maryland
- [Breitbart](https://breitbart.com/politics/2026/08/24/ice-agents-arrest-over-1300-illegal-aliens-maryland-virginia-operation-safe-community) — ICE Arrests Over 1,300 Illegals Across MD, VA with Operation Safe Community
- [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/24/ice-announces-1300-arrests-virginia-maryland) — ICE announces more than 1,300 arrests in Virginia, Maryland
- [La Opinion](https://laopinion.com/2026/08/24/ice-detiene-a-1300-inmigrantes-en-operativo-especial-en-washington-d-c-virginia-y-maryland) — ICE Arrests 1,300 Immigrants in Special Operation in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland
- [El Diario](https://eldiariony.com/2026/08/24/operativo-de-ice-en-virginia-y-maryland-deja-1328-inmigrantes-arrestados) — ICE Operative in Virginia and Maryland Leaves 1,328 Immigrants Arrested
- [Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion](https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/08/ice-arrests-1328-illegal-aliens-in-virginia-maryland-in-14-days) — ICE Arrests 1,328 Illegal Aliens in DC, Virginia, Maryland in 14 Days
- [WAGA](https://fox5atlanta.com/news/1328-undocumented-immigrants-arrested-maryland-virginia-during-2-week-ice-operation) — 1,328 undocumented immigrants arrested in Maryland, Virginia during 2-week ICE operation
- [Fox 10 Phoenix](https://fox10phoenix.com/news/1328-undocumented-immigrants-arrested-maryland-virginia-during-2-week-ice-operation) — 1,328 undocumented immigrants arrested in Maryland, Virginia during 2-week ICE operation
- [WOFL](https://fox35orlando.com/news/1328-undocumented-immigrants-arrested-maryland-virginia-during-2-week-ice-operation) — 1,328 undocumented immigrants arrested in Maryland, Virginia during 2-week ICE operation
- [WJBK](https://fox2detroit.com/news/1328-undocumented-immigrants-arrested-maryland-virginia-during-2-week-ice-operation) — 1,328 undocumented immigrants arrested in Maryland, Virginia during 2-week ICE operation
- [WTXF](https://fox29.com/news/1328-undocumented-immigrants-arrested-maryland-virginia-during-2-week-ice-operation) — 1,328 undocumented immigrants arrested in Maryland, Virginia during 2-week ICE operation
- [WNYW](https://fox5ny.com/news/1328-undocumented-immigrants-arrested-maryland-virginia-during-2-week-ice-operation) — 1,328 undocumented immigrants arrested in Maryland, Virginia during 2-week ICE operation
- [KTBC](https://fox7austin.com/news/1328-undocumented-immigrants-arrested-maryland-virginia-during-2-week-ice-operation) — 1,328 undocumented immigrants arrested in Maryland, Virginia during 2-week ICE operation
- [KRIV](https://fox26houston.com/news/1328-undocumented-immigrants-arrested-maryland-virginia-during-2-week-ice-operation) — 1,328 undocumented immigrants arrested in Maryland, Virginia during 2-week ICE operation
- [Fox News](https://foxnews.com/politics/ice-quietly-arrests-jaw-dropping-number-illegal-immigrants-massive-dc-area-operation) — FIRST ON FOX: ICE quietly arrests jaw dropping number of illegal immigrants in massive DC area operation
- [Just the News](https://justthenews.com/government/security/ice-nabs-1300-illegals-dc-area-2-week-op) — ICE nabs 1,300+ illegals in DC area in 2-week op
- [PJ Media](https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2026/08/24/ice-arrested-over-1300-illegal-aliens-in-virginia-maryland-operation-n4956494) — ICE Arrests Over 1300 Illegal Aliens in Virginia-Maryland Operation
- [abc 7 WJLA](https://wjla.com/news/local/1300-arrested-after-ices-operation-safe-community-in-dc-virginia-and-maryland-department-of-homeland-security-dhs-markwayne-mullin-august-2026) — 1,300 arrested after ICE's 'Operation Safe Community' in DC, Virginia and Maryland
- [WPDE](https://wpde.com/news/nation-world/1300-arrested-after-ices-operation-safe-community-in-dc-virginia-and-maryland-department-of-homeland-security-dhs-markwayne-mullin-august-2026) — 1,300 arrested after ICE's 'Operation Safe Community' in DC, Virginia and Maryland
- [WBFF](https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/1300-arrested-after-ices-operation-safe-community-in-dc-virginia-and-maryland-department-of-homeland-security-dhs-markwayne-mullin-august-2026) — 1,300 arrested after ICE's 'Operation Safe Community' in DC, Virginia and Maryland
- [RedState](https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2026/08/24/govs-spanberger-and-moore-going-to-be-big-mad-as-ice-swoops-down-on-va-md-arrests-1300-n2206008) — Govs Spanberger, Moore Going to Be Big Mad As ICE Swoops Down on VA and MD — Arrests 1,300+
- [Twitchy](https://twitchy.com/dougp/2026/08/24/dhs-statement-about-what-ice-quietly-carried-out-recently-will-send-dems-to-fainting-couches-n2431639) — DHS Statement About What ICE Has 'Quietly Carried Out' Will Send Dems to Fainting Couches
- [Department of Homeland Security](https://dhs.gov/news/2026/08/24/ice-operation-safe-community-washington-dc-arrests-more-1300-illegal-aliens) — ICE Operation Safe Community – Washington, D.C. Arrests More Than 1,300 Illegal Aliens Throughout Virginia, Maryland

## Questions

**How many immigrants were arrested during Operation Safe Community?**

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 1,328 immigrants during a two-week operation in Virginia and Maryland. The operation, named 'Operation Safe Community, Washington, D.C.', took place between August 1 and August 14.

**What was the criminal background of those arrested?**

Nearly 400 of the 1,328 arrested individuals had prior convictions or pending charges for crimes in the U.S. Some were identified as alleged members of transnational criminal organizations like MS-13, 18th Street Gang, and Tren de Aragua.

**Which specific individuals were highlighted in the reports?**

Full reports from El Diario and WAGA detailed specific individuals, including Eygner Wilfredo Huezo-Moran, arrested on a murder warrant, and Actionel Pierre, with a history of attempted murder and assault. Alleged MS-13 members German Mejia-Baires and Mauricio Antonio Barrera-Navidad were also named.

---

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