A group of 90 illegal aliens from Central Asian has been sent back home after an ICE roundup in Philadelphia.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Philadelphia led the effort to deport 90 Central Asian illegal aliens on April 29, which was part of a larger ICE enforcement operation that included 130 illegal aliens.
ICE officials did not elaborate on the illegal aliens deported or how or where they were located. The flight out of Philadelphia joined the final group in New York and continued its trip to Uzbekistan on April 30. The aliens on board came from across the country, according to an ICE news release.
Recently released photos of the historic removal flight. It’s a historic flight because Uzbekistan paid for the removal from the United States of their own nationals.
📢 This operation underscores the deep security cooperation between the U.S. and Uzbekistan, setting a standard… pic.twitter.com/oaT0gQTnAl
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) May 6, 2025
The Department of Homeland Security coordinated with the government of Uzbekistan to remove the illegal aliens from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—and paid for their flight back to their home countries.
“Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, this operation not only reinforced our strong international partnerships but also strengthened national security,” said ERO Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Brian McShane. “It is precisely this kind of leadership that enables ICE to continue to fulfill its mission of protecting the American public by ensuring that our immigration enforcement efforts uphold safety and security for communities across the country.”
The renewed ICE enforcement efforts are part of the Trump administration’s nationwide immigration crackdown. Since Jan. 20, ICE has “significantly increased its immigration enforcement activities” with additional support from other federal law enforcement and Department of Defense partners, the release states.
ICE arrests aliens who commit crimes and other individuals who have violated the nation’s immigration laws. They are subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, deportation from the United States, regardless of nationality.
Other recent ICE arrests in Philadelphia include:
- Virginia Basora-Gonzalez, a 36-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic, was arrested in Philadelphia during a joint operation, March 12. Basora-Gonzalez has prior convictions for attempted possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and aiding and abetting. She was previously removed from the U.S. on Oct. 6, 2020, and reentered the country without admission by an immigration official, according to a news release.
- Four Brazilian nationals were arrested 27 at Jumbo Meat Market on Castor Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia, NBC 10 News reported. According to ICE, the four men arrested had no legal status to enter or remain in the United States and was part of a worksite enforcement operation.
- Seven immigrants were taken into custody after ICE raided Complete Autowash in Philadelphia’s Juniata Park section in late January, ABC 6 News
The agency also noted that its enforcement data is currently published quarterly and with a three-month delay. The agency is working to validate and update its statistics to reflect recent arrests.
Members of the public with information can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing ICE’s online tip form.
