DHS announced a nationwide increase in ICE deployments to so-called "sanctuary" jurisdictions, calling it a "nationwide public safety surge." The agency named a dozen states and Washington, D.C., as focus areas and said it will prioritize arrests of what it called "criminal illegal aliens." The move follows several controversial shootings involving federal agents — including the case of Wilber Rafael Garcas Perez in Austin — and has drawn criticism that many arrestees have had non-serious offenses.
DHS Launches Nationwide ICE 'Surge' Targeting Sanctuary Cities After High-Profile Shootings
DHS announces nationwide surge in ‘sanctuary’ cities
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an expanded deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel to jurisdictions described as "sanctuary" cities — areas that limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents. DHS framed the move as a "nationwide public safety surge" tied to a broader enforcement push by the administration.
Where the Surge Will Focus
DHS named the states and jurisdictions where the heightened ICE presence will concentrate: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington state.
What Officials Say
In a statement posted on X, DHS said its teams "will continue to arrest any and all illegal aliens that come into our path," and said they are prioritizing what the department described as "criminal illegal aliens" released from local jails by sanctuary-minded officials.
ICE leadership, including Homan, reiterated that the agency will remain active despite increased scrutiny of its enforcement tactics.
Recent Incidents and Public Reaction
The announcement follows several high-profile and controversial confrontations between federal agents and civilians. In Austin, Texas, federal officers shot a Venezuelan man, Wilber Rafael Garcas Perez, while he was in his car delivering for DoorDash. He was taken to a hospital and remains in ICE custody with a bullet reported lodged in his back.
DHS records cited in reporting show federal immigration agents have shot at least 20 people since President Donald Trump returned to office, seven of those shootings fatal. Those incidents have prompted protests in multiple cities and renewed debate over immigration enforcement tactics and accountability.
Critics say the administration's push to increase deportations has contributed to more violent confrontations and argue that many people arrested in recent operations were non-criminal or had only minor offenses. Local authorities also reported an incident in a Chicago suburb last week in which a U.S. citizen was injured after immigration agents allegedly mistook him for a fugitive.
Context
While the administration has emphasized targeting the "worst of the worst," public reporting indicates that a substantial portion of recent arrests involved individuals without serious criminal records. The DHS described the effort as a nationwide public safety surge intended to reduce crime and enforce immigration laws more aggressively.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this story. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
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