ICE agents detain illegal immigrants in Houston, Galveston

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is carrying out raids across the state, including in Houston and in Galveston

ICE raids underway across Texas

What we know:

The raids began on Sunday with the help of federal and local law enforcement. This comes as Governor Greg Abbott is deploying more agents to the southern border. ICE raids were reported in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Galveston. 

Just one week after being inaugurated as President of the United States, Donald Trump signed executive orders aimed at deporting immigrants. The orders fulfill his promise to secure the southern border. Photos from law enforcement show migrants being detained by federal agencies. One arrest happened in Montgomery County where a man was taken into custody during a traffic stop. Constable Rowdy Haden's office conducted a traffic stop when a suspect provided a fake ID and was wanted out of Bexar County for a DWI, along with an ICE detainer. 

Governor Greg Abbott announced Monday that he is sending another 400 soldiers from bases in Houston and Fort Worth to the U.S.- Mexico border. Local law enforcement and the Houston Drug Enforcement Agency assisted federal agents with immigration enforcement efforts. 

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What they're saying:

"I didn’t realize how quickly and swiftly they were going to militarize our border and how the areas of republican sheriff’s, Montgomery County Sheriffs are going to work in collaboration with ICE," said Dr. Sergio Lira, the President of the Greater Houston League of United Latin American Citizens 4967. 

"This weekend, being Sunday specifically, we did a targeted operation with our ERO counterparts that resulted in some arrests," said Daniel C. Comeux, the Special Agent in Charge at the DEA Houston. 

The sweeps and increased presence of ICE agents are causing fear among those who enter the U.S. illegally. 

"Most of them are law-abiding and have worked to make this city, and they have given everything to live a good life in this country, but to live in fear and to worry about their children is just heartbreaking," said one migrant translated from Spanish to English. 

"You’re talking about restaurants, hotels, nannies, landscapers, all of these folks contribute to our economy," said Dr. Lira. 

The Source: FOX 26 Reporter Jade Flury spoke with the Special Agent in Charge at DEA Houston, as well as Dr. Sergio Lira, the President of the Greater Houston League of United Latin American Citizens 4967. 

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