ICE Harlingen Sets Record: 238 Arrested in One Day
ICE arrested 238 people in a single day in Harlingen, Texas on June 18, 2026 — a record for that field office. The sweep targeted people with criminal convictions, but operations this large affect entire communities. If you live in South Texas or a similar enforcement-heavy area, knowing your rights right now could matter.
On June 18, 2026, ICE arrested 238 people in a single day in the Harlingen, Texas field office area — the highest single-day targeted arrest total that office has ever recorded. The operation targeted people with criminal records, but the scale of the sweep has raised concerns among immigration advocates across the Rio Grande Valley.
Who Was Targeted and What Charges They Face
ICE said the arrests focused on people with prior convictions, including attempted kidnapping, sexual battery, and drug possession. Agents also arrested an alleged member of the Paisas gang with a record that included assault causing bodily injury, drug possession, marijuana possession, driving while intoxicated, and illegal reentry. ICE Harlingen Field Office Director Juan Agudelo said the agency will continue removing people it considers a public safety threat. People arrested in the operation could face additional federal criminal charges for illegal reentry into the United States.
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The operation was carried out with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Under ICE's current leadership under Secretary Mullin, the agency has stated its priority is identifying, arresting, and removing people without legal status — especially those with criminal records. Operations like this one are described by ICE as "routine daily immigration enforcement," suggesting similar sweeps may continue in the region.
What to Do If ICE Comes to Your Door
- Do not open the door unless ICE shows a signed judicial warrant — an administrative ICE warrant alone does not require you to open your door. Ask them to slide the warrant under the door or hold it up to a window.
- Stay silent. You have the right to remain silent. Do not answer questions about your immigration status, where you were born, or how you entered the US.
- Call an immigration lawyer immediately. If you are detained, you have the right to contact an attorney. Keep a lawyer's phone number written down and accessible to family members.
- Tell your family your A-number (your immigration file number, found on any immigration document). They will need it to locate you if you are detained.
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When ICE conducts large-scale operations like this one, people with any prior contact with law enforcement — even arrests without convictions — face elevated risk of detention. If you have a removal order (a court order telling you to leave the US) or a prior deportation on your record, you may have very limited time to act: the deadline to appeal a removal order is 30 days, and a motion to reopen your case must be filed within 90 days of the order. Anyone in the Rio Grande Valley who has received any immigration court notice should consult an immigration attorney before their next scheduled hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE arrest me even if I have no criminal record?
Yes. ICE has broad authority to arrest people who do not have legal status in the US, even without a criminal record. However, ICE has stated that people with criminal convictions are the priority in operations like this one.
What is the difference between a judicial warrant and an ICE administrative warrant?
A judicial warrant is signed by a federal judge and gives ICE the legal right to enter your home. An ICE administrative warrant (Form I-200 or I-205) is signed by an ICE officer — not a judge — and does not give them the right to force entry into your home. You do not have to open your door for an administrative warrant.
If I am detained, how long can ICE hold me?
There is no fixed limit. ICE can hold you while your case moves through immigration court. You may be eligible for a bond hearing, where a judge decides if you can be released while your case continues. An immigration attorney can request that hearing on your behalf.
What happens after ICE arrests someone?
After arrest, ICE typically processes the person and places them in immigration detention. They will receive a Notice to Appear (NTA) — a document that starts formal removal proceedings in immigration court. From that point, they have the right to hire an attorney (at their own expense) and appear before an immigration judge.