West Virginia Sees Major Immigration Enforcement Operation, Over 650 Arrested in Statewide Sweep

In a significant statewide enforcement action, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, working alongside local and state police, apprehended more than 650 individuals over a two-week period for immigration violations across West Virginia. Federal officials announced the results of the operation, which ran from January 5 to 19, citing enhanced public safety and strengthened inter-agency partnerships.

The operation, which involved 14 federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, deployed teams to multiple cities including Charleston, Martinsburg, Beckley, Moorefield, Morgantown, and Huntington. According to ICE, those arrested included individuals deemed threats to public safety and national security, as well as others who had entered the country unlawfully.

"This collaborative effort underscores how vital partnerships between federal and local agencies are for community safety and the integrity of our immigration framework," stated Michael Rose, Acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Philadelphia. "By providing training and support, we've bolstered local capabilities to identify and process immigration violators within the full scope of the law."

Among those detained was Sagar Singh, a citizen of India, arrested on January 8 as part of a sub-operation targeting commercial vehicle operators. Singh was initially stopped for a traffic violation and was found to have a prior order for removal from the United States.

Another case highlighted by officials involved Ling Yan, also known as Yang Ning, a citizen of China with prior convictions in Ohio for endangering the welfare of children. ICE reported arresting several other individuals with criminal records during the sweep, including a convicted child sex abuser and a person with drug possession convictions.

Local authorities praised the initiative. Jefferson County Sheriff Tom Hansen noted, "We were impressed with the professionalism of the ICE agents and their cooperation with our deputies. This operation provided a tangible benefit by removing dangerous individuals from our communities."

Reaction & Analysis: The scale of the operation highlights the ongoing focus on interior immigration enforcement, particularly in regions not traditionally seen as immigration hotspots. Critics argue such sweeps can foster fear in immigrant communities, while proponents contend they are necessary for enforcing existing laws and targeting criminals.

Community Voices:

• Mark Thompson, 52, Small Business Owner (Charleston): "Seeing federal and local agencies work together effectively is reassuring. It shows a commitment to the rule of law, which is the foundation of any safe community."
• Dr. Elena Rodriguez, 41, Sociology Professor (Morgantown): "While public safety is paramount, the broad scope of these operations often sweeps up individuals whose primary 'crime' is seeking a better life. The human and social costs need to be part of the calculus."
• James "Jim" Kellerman, 60, Retired Police Sergeant (Beckley): "This is a clear win. These aren't random checks; they're targeting specific violators, including felons. My old colleagues on the force need these federal resources to handle complex immigration status issues that go beyond local jurisdiction."
• Priya Sharma, 29, Immigration Rights Advocate (Huntington): [Emotionally charged] "This is state-sanctioned terror in our neighborhoods. Throwing around terms like 'illegal alien' to dehumanize people, then conducting massive sweeps that tear families apart—it's cruel and counterproductive. It forces people deeper into the shadows, making everyone less safe."