FIRST ON FOX – Major Immigration Operation Targets Criminal Migrants in Texas
In a significant crackdown on illegal migration and crime, roughly 90 illegal migrants were arrested in and around Colony Ridge, Texas, a predominantly Hispanic community located just outside Houston. The operation, which was carried out by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers and special agents in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), targeted criminal illegal migrants and was the result of months of meticulous planning. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the operation early Monday morning on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the state’s ongoing efforts to address illegal immigration and criminal activity.
The operation was described by “border czar” Tom Homan, who participated in the raid, as part of a “larger criminal investigation.” While Homan could not disclose all the details of the investigation, he referred to Monday’s arrests as “phase one” of a broader effort to dismantle a criminal network operating in the area. Among those arrested was Florentin Chevez-Luna, a 39-year-old illegal migrant from El Salvador with a history of multiple deportations. Chevez-Luna was taken into custody in Plum Grove, Texas, and is wanted for allegedly sexually abusing a minor over an eight-year period from 2008 to 2016. Homan emphasized that the majority of those arrested had criminal backgrounds, with at least 69 individuals identified as criminals, including several child sexual predators. Some were apprehended at worksites, while others were detained during traffic stops conducted by DPS.
Targeted Operation Aimed at Criminals, Not the Community
Homan clarified that the operation was not a random sweep of the Colony Ridge community but a targeted effort to apprehend specific individuals with criminal records or active warrants. “It wasn’t a community being targeted,” he explained. “We have specific targets we are looking for. We know exactly what we are looking for and the crimes they had committed during this operation.” The primary focus of the operation was criminal illegal migrants and national security threats, but Homan also made it clear that anyone in the country illegally is at risk of deportation.
“This is something a little different today,” Homan said. “This is a larger criminal investigation into a network. And a lot of the people we were interested in were located in that area.” He added, “Just because you prioritize one thing doesn’t mean you forget the other. There are laws on the books. There is nothing in the Immigration and Nationality Act that says you got to commit yet another crime to be arrested by ICE officers. It is a crime to enter this country illegally. If you are in the country illegally, you got a problem. But again, we are going to prioritize criminals and public safety.”
The operation drew mixed reactions from the community. While some residents expressed concern, others welcomed the effort to root out criminal activity. Nonprofit groups, such as FIEL Houston, were present in Colony Ridge, reminding residents of their rights and advising them on how to interact with law enforcement. “Remember you don’t have to open the door, remember to remain silent,” FIEL Houston wrote on social media.
Colony Ridge Development at the Center of Controversy
Colony Ridge, the focus of the operation, is a large, predominantly Hispanic development that has faced its own share of controversies. The developers of the community have been accused in federal and state lawsuits of exploiting Latino homebuyers through false marketing practices. However, Colony Ridge CEO John Harris expressed full support for the operation, stating, “We are grateful for the efforts of Governor Abbott, Tom Homan, and all those involved in rooting out criminal illegals in Texas.” Harris emphasized that DPS officers have been working in Colony Ridge for over two years and are well-aware of the criminal elements within the community. He also highlighted the community’s safety record, calling it “one of the safest communities of its size anywhere in Texas.”
Recent Arrests Highlight Broader Criminal Activity in the Area
The operation in Colony Ridge is part of a broader effort to address criminal activity linked to illegal migration in the region. Just last week, three illegal migrants with multiple prior deportations were arrested near Colony Ridge after authorities uncovered 350 pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop. The suspects, identified as Gerson Lopez Zuniga, Cruz Isidro Sandoval, and Adan Aguirre Arzate, were linked to a large-scale methamphetamine distribution operation. The drugs were concealed in “Iceberg Lettuce” boxes found in a camper trailer, weighing approximately 156 kilograms (344 pounds). This incident underscores the connection between illegal migration and organized crime, particularly in areas like Colony Ridge, where criminal networks often operate.
The operation in Colony Ridge and the recent methamphetamine bust highlight the complexities of the illegal migration crisis and its ties to broader criminal enterprises. While the arrests have been welcomed by some as a step toward improving public safety, they have also sparked debates about immigration enforcement and the rights of migrants. As Texas continues to take a proactive approach to addressing illegal immigration and crime, the situation in Colony Ridge serves as a microcosm of the challenges faced by border states and the need for coordinated federal and state efforts to secure communities and uphold the rule of law.
