In less than two months, the Virginia Homeland Security Task Force has made over 500 arrests related to transnational organized crime, gang violence and immigration violations, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced on Monday.
Of those 521 total arrests, 132 individuals are affiliated with gangs such as MS-13, Tren de Aragua and other transnational organized crime (TOC) organizations.
The Virginia Homeland Security Task Force is a federal-state partnership established by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat transnational organized crime, gang violence and immigration violations. The VHSTF was formally announced on March 3.
Youngman praised the federal and state law enforcement officers who helped in the coordinated effort. The crackdown started on February 25 as part of a nationwide effort to combat violent crime and begin mass deportation efforts of illegal criminal aliens under the Trump administration and Border Czar Tom Homan.
Over 500 criminal illegal immigrants—including 132 gang members—are off our streets thanks to the ongoing efforts of our Virginia Homeland Security Task Force. Thank you to our interagency partners for your historic cooperation in keeping Virginians safe. https://t.co/BWOeJUIrAR
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) April 21, 2025
More than 500 criminal illegal immigrants are off of Virginia’s streets and facing justice for their crimes.
“All Virginians should be proud that our State Troopers and Corrections Officers are a part of this incredible team of over 200 law enforcement officers,” Youngkin said in a news release. “What’s happening in Virginia is a model that should be replicated all across the country.”
Youngkin also credited the leadership of President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary Kristi Noem and others.
“This is the product of unprecedented collaboration between state and federal law enforcement entities working to protect Virginia’s communities,” said U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Governor Youngkin and Attorney General Miyares have been incredible partners with the Department of Justice, and we will collaborate with every state in effectuating President Trump’s Make America Safe agenda.”
U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting Director Todd Lyons said the agency is expanding ICE’s 287(g) program. The partnership allows participating state and local law enforcement agencies to go through training and enforce the nation’s immigration laws.
Since Jan. 20, ICE has arrested and removed unprecedented numbers of dangerous gang affiliates from Virginia’s communities, Lyons said.
VHSTF operations will continue with partner agencies conducting long-term narcotics, violent gang, and transnational organized crime investigations according to their respective authorities.
In addition, the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Corrections are working alongside federal and local partners to enforce immigration laws through the 287(g) program.
On Feb. 27, Governor Youngkin signed Executive Order 47, authorizing Virginia State Police and Virginia Department of Corrections’ 287(g) memoranda with ICE ERO, which allows the agencies to directly enforce federal immigration law. ICE approved the agreements within 20 hours, reportedly a record.
“The significant number of arrests and ongoing investigations highlight the effectiveness of a collaborative approach to complex enforcement challenges,” said the Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Terry Cole.
The Task Force is led by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Erik S. Siebert, and consists of personnel from the following agencies:
- U.S. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DSS)
- Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- U.S. Marshals Service (USMS)
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (BATFE)
- U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and U.S. Customs Air Marine
- High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force
- Virginia State Police
- Virginia Department of Corrections
As of April 22, ICE has signed 456 Memorandums of Agreement for 287(g) programs covering 38 states, with another 107 applications pending, according to
