Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have arrested 243 illegal immigrants in the Denver metro area during a recent multi-day operation, Fox News has learned. The individuals taken into custody are all either charged with or convicted of crimes beyond unlawful entry into the U.S., according to ICE.
Among those arrested:
- One individual wanted for murder
- One wanted for human trafficking
- Nine involved in drug offenses
- Thirteen charged with or convicted of assault
- Eight accused of theft
- Seventeen with DUI-related charges or convictions
“This operation underscores our firm commitment to protecting the public,” said Robert Guadian, director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Denver. “Thanks to collaboration with our federal partners, we’ve removed individuals who pose serious threats to community safety.”
Guadian also criticized Colorado’s sanctuary laws, which prevent local jails from cooperating with ICE detainer requests.
“Many of those arrested were previously released directly back into the Denver community by local jails, despite having criminal records. This is the result of sanctuary policies that block communication with ICE,” he added.
Criminal Backgrounds and International Origins
ICE confirmed that the immigrants arrested during the sweep came from a wide range of countries, including South American nations, Spain, Romania, China, Jordan, and Algeria.
At least nine individuals were identified as confirmed or suspected members of transnational gangs such as Tren de Aragua, Los Zetas, and the Sinaloa cartel.
Notable Arrests
- Rigoberto Carranza-Mendez, 47 – convicted of murder and DUI. He has already been removed from the U.S.
- Javier Ulises Sanchez-Andazola, 24 – convicted of sexual assault of a child and DUI
- Blanca Ochoa Tello, 36 – caught with 20,000 fentanyl pills during her arrest
- Tomas Arana-Fuentes, 49 – facing pending charges for multiple sex crimes, including sexual assault of a helpless victim
At least 50 individuals arrested during the operation had existing final deportation orders, ICE said.
Surge in Arrests Under Trump Administration
The Denver arrests are part of a broader ICE enforcement surge in the western U.S. under President Trump’s administration. Since January, ICE says monthly arrests across eight states — Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, and California — have nearly tripled.
Meanwhile, the climate around ICE operations is growing more hostile. ICE says assaults on its officers are up 830% compared to the same period in 2024.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons attributed the rise in violence to political rhetoric.
“The increasing attacks on our officers are driven in part by elected officials demonizing ICE’s law enforcement mission,” Lyons told CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday.
Despite pushback from sanctuary cities like Los Angeles, ICE officials say they will continue targeting criminal illegal immigrants to protect public safety.
