Inside ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Houston: A Focus on Public Safety
This week, Fox News had the opportunity to embed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Houston, gaining an exclusive glimpse into the day-to-day operations of the agency. With a renewed emphasis on targeting criminal illegal migrants, the Houston Field Office has seen a significant increase in arrests—roughly two to three times the previous numbers, according to ERO Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. The agency’s mission is not to instill fear or disrupt communities but to enhance public safety by removing dangerous individuals who pose a threat to society. This strategy has also fostered stronger partnerships with federal agencies like the FBI, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
One of the highlights of the Fox News ride-along was the arrest of Manuel Rivera-Perdomo, a 30-year-old illegal migrant from El Salvador with a conviction for sexually assaulting a child. Rivera-Perdomo, who had been deported twice before, managed to evade capture until ICE officers meticulously tracked his movements. Early Wednesday morning, agents waited for him to leave his home and get into his car before apprehending him. When Rivera-Perdomo requested to see an arrest warrant, an agent simply instructed him to get into the vehicle. He is now being held at the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, Texas, as his immigration proceedings move forward. Bradford emphasized that such operations are critical to preventing further crimes and protecting vulnerable communities.
Another notable case involved Valente Cambron-Villa, a Mexican national with a history of alien smuggling convictions. Cambron-Villa had been deported once before and had evaded capture since 2005. ICE officers spent days surveilling his movements, studying his patterns to ensure a safe and efficient arrest. When the moment arrived, agents swarmed his truck just as he was leaving for work, taking him into custody within minutes. These cases illustrate the careful planning and precision that go into ICE’s enforcement efforts. Bradford described the work as “extremely rewarding,” noting that the crimes prevented by removing such individuals from the community are immeasurable.
The ERO Houston Field Office currently has thousands of illegal migrants on its target list, though not all are considered viable for arrest due to limited intelligence or resources. Officers prioritize those who pose the greatest public safety or national security risks. This focus has allowed ICE to collaborate more effectively with other federal agencies. For instance, on the same day as the Fox News ride-along, the FBI Houston office apprehended two suspects linked to the notorious criminal organization Tren de Aragua and transferred them to ICE custody. Such partnerships highlight the importance of interagency cooperation in combating crime and securing communities.
Bradford stressed that ICE’s efforts are not about intimidating or terrorizing communities but about making them safer. He acknowledged that while ICE has always made arrests in the community, the recent shift in priorities has enabled officers to focus on the most dangerous individuals. This approach has also allowed ICE to work more closely with federal partners, ensuring a more cohesive and effective enforcement strategy. By targeting criminals who have already demonstrated a willingness to harm others, ICE aims to prevent future offenses and create a safer environment for everyone.
The work of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is often misunderstood, but the stories of Rivera-Perdomo and Cambron-Villa provide a glimpse into the agency’s critical role in protecting public safety. By focusing on criminal illegal migrants and collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, ICE is working to prevent crimes before they occur. While the agency’s efforts may not always receive widespread recognition, the impact of their work is undeniable. AsDirector Bradford reminded his team, the true reward lies in the crimes prevented and the communities made safer by their dedication and hard work.
