ICE Arrests 1,328 in DC Area: What It Means for You
You live outside Washington, D.C., and ICE just ran its largest regional enforcement sweep of 2026. Between August 1 and 14, officers arrested 1,328 people across Virginia and Maryland — and the agency says more operations like this are coming. If you or someone you know could be in ICE's path, here is what you need to know right now.
You live in Virginia or Maryland. You hear a knock at the door early in the morning. Between August 1 and August 14, 2026, that knock became reality for 1,328 people across the Washington, D.C. suburbs — arrested during a two-week ICE operation called "Operation Safe Community – Washington, D.C."
What happened and who was targeted
ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations ran the operation across both states, not just the D.C. suburbs. Of the 1,328 people arrested, ICE says almost 400 had prior convictions or pending criminal charges in the United States. ICE also reported arresting members of transnational gangs including MS-13, 18th Street, and Tren de Aragua. Acting Assistant Director Patricia Hyde said the operation was designed to remove people with serious criminal histories from local communities.
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Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
ICE specifically pointed to sanctuary policies in many Virginia and Maryland counties as a reason officers had to make arrests in public rather than inside jails. Hyde said that when local governments refuse to cooperate with ICE detainer requests, officers must conduct street arrests — which she described as more dangerous for everyone involved. The operation closely follows a similar sweep in Georgia in July 2026, where ICE arrested more than 1,200 people.
ICE stated that all people arrested receive due process — meaning they have the right to appear before an immigration judge and contest their removal. If you are placed in removal proceedings (the formal legal process where a judge decides whether you can stay in the US), you have the right to hire an attorney, present your case, and appeal a removal order. A removal order can be appealed within 30 days. If your case is already decided and you want to reopen it, you generally have 90 days to file a motion to reopen with the immigration court.
What to do
- Know your rights before ICE arrives: you do not have to open the door unless officers have a signed judicial warrant. An administrative ICE warrant alone does not require you to open your door.
- Write down the phone number of an immigration lawyer now — before any encounter. If you are detained, you have the right to call an attorney. Lawyers recommend keeping this number on paper, not just in your phone.
- If you receive a notice to appear in immigration court (called an NTA, or Notice to Appear), do not miss your hearing. Missing a court date almost always results in an automatic removal order issued in your absence.
- If you are already in removal proceedings, ask your attorney about filing for a stay of deportation (Form I-246, which carries a $155 filing fee) to pause removal while you pursue other options.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Deportation Defense”.
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Operations like this one are a reminder that even people with no criminal record can be swept up during large-scale enforcement actions — ICE's stated focus on criminal offenders does not mean others are safe. If you are undocumented or have a pending immigration case, now is the time to review your options: a motion to reopen must be filed within 90 days of a final order, and missing that window closes most doors. Consult an immigration attorney before a crisis, not after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ICE only arrest people with criminal records during these operations?
ICE says its primary focus is people with criminal convictions or charges. However, during large enforcement operations, people without criminal records have also been arrested. ICE has broad authority to arrest anyone it believes is in the country without legal status.
What happens after ICE arrests someone — do they get a court hearing?
Yes. ICE states that all arrested individuals receive due process. That means they are placed in removal proceedings and have the right to appear before an immigration judge. They can hire an attorney, present their case, and appeal a removal order within 30 days of the judge's decision.
I live in a sanctuary county in Virginia or Maryland. Am I safer from ICE?
Sanctuary policies limit how much local jails cooperate with ICE detainer requests — they do not prevent ICE from making arrests in public. As this operation showed, ICE conducted street arrests specifically because some counties declined to hold people for ICE. Sanctuary status reduces one pathway for ICE but does not eliminate enforcement risk.
What is Form I-246 and when should I file it?
Form I-246 is an application for a stay of deportation (also called a stay of removal). It asks ICE to pause your removal while you pursue other legal options. The filing fee is $155. Lawyers recommend filing it as early as possible if you have a final removal order and a pending legal claim — waiting until the last moment reduces your chances of approval.