News of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity rattled Washington, D.C. last week, as ICE officials now report that almost 200 alien offenders were arrested during a four-day sweep of restaurants.
ICE worked with law enforcement partners to execute the immigration crackdown. ICE took 189 illegal aliens into custody and served notices of inspection to 187 local businesses.
ICE targeted criminal alien offenders, including members of transnational criminal organizations operating in and around Washington, D.C., from May 6-9, according to a news release. These organizations include the notorious MS-13, Tren de Aragua and 18th Street gangs.
Some of those arrested include:
- A 47-year-old Guatemalan alien whose criminal history includes drug possession, illegal reentry, aggravated assault, trespassing, disorderly conduct and sexual assault. His current criminal charges include unlawful reentry of a previously deported alien, disorderly conduct, lewd acts, possession of a controlled substance, sex abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon and possessing an open container. Additionally, he has numerous gang-affiliated tattoos on his arms, legs and chest.
- A 25-year-old Guatemalan alien whose criminal history includes threat to kidnap, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, threats to bodily harm and simple assault. He is currently charged with alien present without admission or parole.
- A 30-year-old Salvadoran alien whose criminal history includes simple assault, driving while intoxicated, brandishing a machete and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He is currently charged with alien present without admission or parole.
- A 36-year-old Mexican alien whose criminal history includes misdemeanor larceny, misdemeanor indecent exposure, possession of an open container, simple assault, theft, unlawful entry, and possession of prohibited weapon – knife, a misdemeanor. He is currently charged with being an alien present without admission or parole.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. Field Office Director Russell Hott said the District of Columbia is “exponentially safer.” Hott praised the collaborative effort, investigative work and dedication to duty displayed by ICE Washington, D.C., and agency partners.
“Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in the city of Washington, D.C.,” Hott said in a statement. “Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid.”
Multiple agencies participated in the four-day takedown across D.C., including ICE’s ERO and Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Virginia Department of Corrections, the FBI, the ATF, the DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service.
“The success of this enhanced operation highlights the resolve of ICE and our federal partners in keeping our country safe from criminal alien offenders,” said Christopher Heck, ICE Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. Acting Special Agent in Charge, in a statement. “Many of the aliens arrested have egregious criminal histories to include violent crimes against residents of our Washington, D.C. communities.”
ICE took the lead to find and arrest the criminal illegal aliens after local jurisdictions refused to honor immigration detainers. Many of those arrested had been released back into the community, according to ICE.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and this administration’s focus on law and order, these arrests represent a major step forward in making Washington, D.C., safer for legal citizens and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. in a statement. “These arrests make clear that violating our nation’s immigration laws will not be ignored.”
Along with the arrests, ICE also served 187 notices of inspection to D.C.-area businesses and requested I-9 documentation for employees. Across the country, ICE has launched worksite enforcement operations to ensure companies are complying with U.S. immigration and employment laws.
There are reports of ICE raids at Chef Geoff’s restaurant in Washington DC!
About time!! Thank you Tom Holman! pic.twitter.com/1SEaHcdhVG
— Chris Plante Show (@ChrisPlanteShow) May 6, 2025
Last week, various news outlets reported that ICE agents had entered businesses across the city and demanded to see employment eligibility papers.
REPORT: ICE raids DC Restaurant owned by Norah O’Donnell’s husband, per NY Post. pic.twitter.com/NYAVWgQZ40
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) May 7, 2025
Multiple sources told ABC News that federal law enforcement officials had visited dozens of restaurants, carry-out spots, and bars in several D.C. neighborhoods, including U Street, 14th Street, Chinatown, Dupont Circle, and Mount Vernon Triangle.
Axios D.C. reported ICE activity at local pizza chain Pupatella in Dupont Circle, Chef Geoff’s near AU Park, Ghostburger in Shaw, and Millie’s, an upscale Nantucket-style restaurant in Spring Valley, per Washingtonian and FOX5.
“It’s unfortunate, but I think folks were prepared,” Shawn Townsend, head of Washington’s restaurant association, told Axios.
NBC News 4 Washington reported Monday that ICE agents visited Millie’s corporate office to get the I-9 documents requested last week.
