ICE Arrests 650 in West Virginia Operation Targeting Undocumented Immigrants
ICE Philadelphia arrested 650 individuals in West Virginia from Jan. 5-19 during Operation ICE Wall, including at least one person with a prior removal order.
Overview
ICE Philadelphia led Operation ICE Wall from Jan. 5-19 and arrested 650 individuals across Beckley, Charleston, Huntington, Martinsburg, Moorefield and Morgantown, officials confirmed.
The operation deployed surge teams in partnership with 14 287(g) state and local law enforcement partners to identify people who entered the U.S. unlawfully or posed public-safety risks, ICE said.
ERO Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Michael Rose praised the collaboration and said the operation removed individuals who "may pose threats to public safety," officials quoted in a press release said.
Arrestees included Sagar Singh, an Indian national arrested Jan. 8 who had a prior removal order, and at least one person convicted of child sex offenses and another convicted of drug possession, records show.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey praised the partnership with ICE and had signed 287(g) agreements in August; federal officials said no protests were reported and authorities said the operation expanded local enforcement capacity.
Analysis
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FAQ
Operation ICE Wall was a two-week ICE enforcement operation from January 5 to 19, 2026, targeting undocumented immigrants in West Virginia cities including Beckley, Charleston, Huntington, Martinsburg, Moorefield, and Morgantown.
ICE arrested more than 650 individuals who entered the U.S. unlawfully, posed public safety risks, or had criminal histories including child sex offenses and drug possession.
The 287(g) program allows state and local law enforcement to partner with ICE to identify and arrest undocumented immigrants; 14 partners in West Virginia participated, expanding local enforcement capacity.
Sagar Singh, an Indian national with a prior removal order, was arrested on January 8 for vehicle violations while driving a commercial vehicle; others included a convicted child sex abuser and drug possessor.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey and local sheriffs praised the ICE partnership and professionalism; officials reported no protests during the operation.
