| Published April 5, 2025
Houston, Texas — In what local officials are calling one of the most sweeping enforcement actions in recent memory, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Houston deported 174 illegal immigrants over a two-week span — and with them, a staggering 610 criminal convictions.
The effort, part of the Trump administration’s intensified focus on border and interior enforcement, unfolded between March 17 and March 28, 2025, as ICE agents carried out targeted operations across the Houston area. Officials say these deportations reflect a deliberate prioritization of public safety and a return to strict enforcement protocols.
“Each day, our officers put their lives on the line to apprehend and remove dangerous criminal aliens, transnational gang members, and foreign fugitives,” said Bret Bradford, ICE’s Houston Field Office Director. “These individuals had no regard for American law, and it’s our duty to make sure they can no longer harm our communities.”
A High-Risk Target List
The individuals deported were not just unlawfully present in the country — many had deep criminal histories. ICE records reveal that 415 of the 174 deportees had previously been ordered removed but illegally re-entered the U.S. anyway. Among them were:
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24 documented gang members, including affiliates of the notorious Florencia 13 and MS-13 gangs.
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Individuals convicted of homicide-related offenses, rape, sexual assault, and child exploitation.
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Offenders with prior convictions for domestic violence, drug trafficking, aggravated assault, and human smuggling.
One Mexican national had been deported an astonishing 40 times, racking up charges for driving under the influence, drug possession, and multiple fraud-related crimes. Another man, deported 13 times, had 25 convictions to his name, ranging from narcotics possession to violent crimes.
In one particularly high-profile case, a known gang member with eight prior deportations had multiple convictions for assault with a deadly weapon and battery, but had repeatedly reentered the country.
Detention Centers at Capacity
The Houston deportation blitz is part of a broader national trend. Since January 20, when President Donald Trump returned to office, ICE has made more than 113,000 arrests and carried out over 100,000 removals. According to ICE leadership, the surge in enforcement has placed considerable strain on detention infrastructure, with many facilities operating at or near maximum capacity.
Officials have asked Congress to allocate additional funding to expand detention capabilities and streamline the removal process for repeat offenders.
A Renewed National Focus
The Biden administration’s rollback of Trump-era immigration policies had led to what many described as a porous southern border and overwhelmed local systems. Trump’s return to the White House has marked a hard pivot back toward deterrence, detention, and deportation — with the Houston operation being a prime example of the new federal posture.
For Houston residents like local business owner Samuel Ortega, the news brought relief. “It’s not about hating immigrants. It’s about protecting our neighborhoods from the people who come here to commit crimes,” he said. “This is long overdue.”
Still, immigration advocates have raised concerns about the scope and speed of these operations, arguing that broad enforcement sweeps risk ensnaring individuals with minor infractions or long-standing ties to local communities.
Bradford counters that narrative. “We’re not out there targeting families or children. We’re removing people who’ve repeatedly broken the law and ignored our immigration system.”
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