Hailey
Wichita County Sheriff David Duke confirmed that 15 individuals were arrested during a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation targeting undocumented immigrants in the area.
The arrests were carried out over multiple phases in collaboration with the Wichita County Sheriff’s Office and federal immigration authorities.
Initial Arrests at Local Apartment Complex
The first phase of the enforcement action resulted in the arrest of 10 individuals, none of whom were identified as Hispanic, according to Sheriff Duke.
These individuals were reportedly residing in an apartment complex and were employed at various restaurants throughout the city.
The operation appears to have been part of a coordinated sweep focusing on undocumented workers, and authorities have not released the names or specific locations involved.
Five Additional Arrests During Traffic Stops
The remaining five arrests came as part of a joint effort between ICE agents and the Sheriff’s criminal interdiction unit, which conducted a series of targeted traffic stops.
During one stop, authorities discovered a vehicle transporting five individuals who were being trafficked from Mexico.
Sheriff Duke did not elaborate on the conditions of the individuals or whether charges would be brought against any traffickers involved. The investigation into this specific incident remains ongoing.
Detainees Transported to Dallas
None of the 15 individuals arrested during the operation were booked into the Wichita County Jail. Instead, all were transferred directly into federal custody and transported to Dallas, where ICE officers are handling their processing and detention.
Officials have not disclosed the immigration status review process or whether deportation proceedings have been initiated.
This latest ICE operation in Wichita County highlights the ongoing partnership between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement in efforts to identify and detain individuals living in the country without legal documentation.
With 15 arrests made, including those linked to suspected human trafficking, the operation underscores the complex nature of immigration enforcement and the challenges of balancing public safety with humanitarian considerations.
Sheriff Duke stated that his office remains committed to collaborating with ICE in future operations while continuing to monitor trafficking routes and undocumented migration within the region.