ICE Arrests 238 in Texas: What It Means for Your Rights
What if ICE agents show up at your door today — do you know what to do? On June 18, 2026, ICE arrested 238 people in a single day in the Harlingen, Texas area — the highest single-day arrest total ever recorded by that field office. Operations like this are still active, and knowing your rights before an encounter happens can make a real difference.
The Harlingen ICE field office, working with federal, state, and local law enforcement, carried out the mass arrest operation on June 18, 2026. ICE Field Office Director Juan Agudelo said the agency will continue targeting people with criminal records first, but the sweep also included people charged with immigration violations alone — illegal reentry being the most common.
Among those arrested were people with convictions for attempted kidnapping, sexual battery, and drug possession. ICE also arrested an alleged member of the Paisas gang, who had prior convictions including assault causing bodily injury, driving while intoxicated, and illegal reentry. People arrested for illegal reentry may face additional federal criminal charges on top of removal proceedings.
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What This Means If You Are in Removal Proceedings
Operations like this one signal that ICE enforcement in South Texas is intensifying. If you are undocumented, have a prior order of removal, or have any criminal history — even minor — your risk of arrest is higher during periods of elevated enforcement. If you are arrested and placed in removal proceedings, you have 30 days to appeal a removal order. You can also file a Motion to Reopen your case within 90 days of a final order. If you need more time to leave voluntarily, a judge may grant up to 120 days of voluntary departure. If you are already detained and facing deportation, you can file Form I-246 (a Stay of Deportation request) for a fee of $155, or file Form I-290B (Notice of Appeal) for $800.
What to Do
- Do not open the door to ICE without a signed judicial warrant. Ask them to slide it under the door. An administrative ICE warrant alone does not give them the right to enter your home.
- Stay silent. You have the right not to answer questions about your immigration status. Say clearly: "I am exercising my right to remain silent."
- Contact an immigration lawyer immediately if you or a family member is arrested. Many nonprofit legal organizations in Texas offer free or low-cost help.
- If you have a removal order, ask a lawyer about filing a Motion to Reopen — you have 90 days from the final order to do so.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Deportation Defense”.
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Anyone with a prior removal order or criminal record should consult an immigration attorney before an enforcement surge reaches their area — not after an arrest. If you are detained, you have the right to request a bond hearing before an immigration judge, and your attorney can argue for release based on ties to the community and lack of flight risk. The 30-day deadline to appeal a removal order is strict and almost never extended, so do not wait. Speak with a licensed immigration attorney to review your options while you still have them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE enter my home without permission?
ICE cannot enter your home without a judicial warrant signed by a judge. An administrative ICE warrant is not enough. You can ask them to slide the warrant under the door to check. If they do not have a judicial warrant, you do not have to open the door.
What happens if I am arrested and have a prior removal order?
You may be deported quickly. However, you have 30 days to appeal the removal order and 90 days to file a Motion to Reopen your case. Contact a lawyer immediately — these deadlines are strict.
Does having a criminal record make deportation automatic?
Not always, but it raises your risk significantly. Certain convictions — especially aggravated felonies — can make you ineligible for most forms of relief. A lawyer can review your record and tell you what options, if any, are available.
How do I find someone who was arrested by ICE?
Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator at locator.ice.gov. You will need the person's full name, country of birth, and ideally their A-number (alien registration number). You can also call 1-888-351-4024.