Story perspectives

ICE's Operation Buckeye Sparks Arrests and Community Protests

12/23/2025

Center

ICE Operation Controversy

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched Operation Buckeye on December 16 in central Ohio, arresting ten men on charges including rape and drug trafficking.
Investigations revealed discrepancies in the criminal records cited by ICE, with many lacking verification in Franklin County.
Protests erupted in response to the increased ICE presence, prompting community support for those fearing arrest.
Local businesses advised residents to remain indoors amid the heightened enforcement.

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ICE Arrests Criminals

ICE arrested over 1,030 illegal aliens during Operation Angel’s Honor to honor Laken Riley, a nursing student murdered by an illegal immigrant.
Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, emphasized the operation's success in removing dangerous criminals.
The Laken Riley Act, named after Riley, requires the arrest of illegal immigrants who commit crimes.
In a related operation, ICE arrested over 100 illegal alien truck drivers in California, reflecting safety efforts.

Left

ICE Expands Operations

Operation: Prairie Thunder in South Dakota continues into new year, expanding traffic monitoring and drug enforcement.
Since its launch, 260 of 406 arrests involve drug charges.
The operation is backed by 287(g) agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Data show most arrests involve Hispanic males from Mexico and Central America, sparking concerns and the Latino Festival's cancellation.
Local officials say the operation is essential for safety despite rising fears.

History

Historical Context

The Laken Riley Act, enacted on January 29, 2025, mandates the detention of illegal immigrants charged with certain crimes, following the 2024 murder of nursing student Laken Riley by an illegal immigrant. This incident intensified debates over U.S. immigration policy, leading to increased ICE operations like Operation Angel’s Honor, which detained over 1,000 suspected illegal immigrants, highlighting significant community safety concerns.

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ICE Operation Controversy

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched Operation Buckeye on December 16 in central Ohio, arresting ten men on charges including rape and drug trafficking.
Investigations revealed discrepancies in the criminal records cited by ICE, with many lacking verification in Franklin County.
Protests erupted in response to the increased ICE presence, prompting community support for those fearing arrest.
Local businesses advised residents to remain indoors amid the heightened enforcement.

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