U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested 243 illegal immigrants in the Denver metro area during a large-scale enforcement operation that concluded Sunday, Fox News has learned.
According to ICE, all individuals arrested were either charged with or convicted of crimes beyond illegal entry into the United States. Among those taken into custody: one individual wanted for murder, another for human trafficking, five tied to sex-related offenses, nine connected to drug charges, 13 linked to assault, eight accused or convicted of theft, and 17 facing DUI charges.
“This operation underscores our steadfast dedication to protecting communities,” said Robert Guadian, Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Denver. “Many of those arrested had been released into the community by local jails due to Colorado’s sanctuary policies, which block cooperation with ICE.”
Dozens of Gang Affiliates and Serious Offenders Captured
ICE reported that nine of those arrested are known or suspected members of transnational criminal organizations, including Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa Cartel, and Los Zetas.
Some of the most serious offenders included:
- Rigoberto Carranza-Mendez, 47, previously convicted of murder and DUI, and already deported.
- Javier Ulises Sanchez-Andazola, 24, a Mexican citizen convicted of sexually assaulting a child and DUI.
- Blanca Ochoa Tello, 36, who was caught with 20,000 fentanyl pills in her vehicle.
- Tomas Arana-Fuentes, 49, who faces multiple pending charges, including sexual assault on a helpless victim.
ICE said the arrested individuals come from a range of countries, including South American nations, China, Spain, Romania, Jordan, and Algeria. At least 50 of them were already subject to final removal orders.
Arrests Surge Under Trump Administration
The Denver-area arrests are part of a broader surge in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration’s renewed focus on public safety. ICE reports that arrests of criminal illegal immigrants across eight western states — including Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and California — have nearly tripled since January.
This latest operation comes amid rising tensions between federal authorities and sanctuary jurisdictions such as Los Angeles, which have pushed back against ICE raids, even those targeting convicted criminals.
Attacks on ICE Personnel Spike Amid Anti-Enforcement Rhetoric
ICE officials also warned of growing hostility toward agents. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told Face the Nation on Sunday that assaults on ICE officers are up over 800% compared to the same period in 2024.
“The dangerous rhetoric from elected officials who demonize ICE’s mission is fueling these attacks,” Lyons said. “We’re seeing an alarming rise in hostility, and it’s putting our officers — and the public — at risk.”
The agency said it will continue to prioritize arrests of individuals who pose a threat to public safety and emphasized that local policies blocking cooperation only make their job more difficult and communities more vulnerable.
