Some states and communities have opted to cooperate with ICE, rather than work against it, and the results have been solid for local communities.
According to ICE, the Philadelphia field office conducted a 15-day statewide surge from Jan. 5 to Jan. 19, arresting more than 650 individuals across West Virginia. The operation, called “Operation Country Roads” by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, deployed surge teams to Martinsburg, Moorefield, Morgantown, Beckley, Huntington, and Charleston, working alongside 14 of ICE’s 287(g) partner agencies in the state.
NEW: ICE announces the arrests of 650 illegal aliens in West Virginia as part of an operation with cooperation from local law enforcement via the 287(g) program. Per ICE, those arrested have convictions for child sex abuse, drug possession and endangering the welfare of…
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) February 1, 2026
Among those taken into custody were individuals convicted of child sex abuse, drug possession, and endangering the welfare of children. A sub-operation called Operation ICE Wall targeted individuals illegally operating commercial vehicles, netting more than 25 arrests. Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, eight individuals also faced federal criminal charges after search warrants were executed in Nitro on Jan. 16.
What is the 287(g) Program?
The 287(g) program allows state and local law enforcement to carry out immigration enforcement under ICE’s oversight. Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, West Virginia agencies accounted for more than 550 of the arrests, and the state led the nation in daily immigration arrests by 287(g) participants on at least four days of the operation.
Governor Patrick Morrisey signed an executive order in early 2025 directing state law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Fourteen agencies participated in this operation, though 25 West Virginia agencies have signed 287(g) agreements with ICE overall. ERO Philadelphia Acting Field Office Director Michael Rose stated the operation demonstrated how local and federal partnerships strengthen both public safety and immigration enforcement.
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