ICE Houston: 735 Arrests in May, What It Means for You
ICE's Houston office arrested 735 people in May 2026 — and the agency says that number is not unusual. It is what every month looks like. If you live in Southeast Texas and have any open immigration matter, here is what this enforcement pattern means for you.
What if ICE shows up at your door — do you know what to do? That question became urgent for thousands of people in the Houston area after ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations office announced it arrested 735 people in May 2026, all of whom had prior criminal convictions. The agency said those arrests covered 1,711 total convictions, and that roughly 70% of those convictions were for violent crimes or offenses that endangered public safety.
What ICE said about the Houston operation
ICE acting Field Office Director Gabriel Martinez said the agency released the May data specifically to show what a typical month of enforcement looks like — not because May was unusual. The Houston ICE field office covers 58 counties across Southeast Texas, from Beaumont to Corpus Christi. Among those arrested were 25 people identified as members or associates of transnational gangs including MS-13 and 18th Street. The convictions listed ranged from homicide and sex offenses to DWI (driving while intoxicated) — 495 DWI convictions were included in the total count.
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Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
ICE enforcement in the Houston area is ongoing every month, according to Martinez. That means anyone in the region with an open immigration case, a prior arrest, or a removal order should treat this as a signal that enforcement activity is active and consistent — not a one-time surge.
What to do if you or someone you know is at risk
- Know your rights before ICE arrives. You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an immigration lawyer before answering questions. You do not have to open your door unless ICE has a signed judicial warrant.
- Contact an immigration attorney immediately if you have a removal order, a prior criminal conviction, or a pending immigration case. A lawyer can review whether you qualify for a stay of deportation — the filing fee for Form I-246 (Stay of Deportation) is $155 in 2026.
- If you receive a removal order, you have 30 days to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Missing that window closes most options. If the deadline has passed, ask a lawyer about a Motion to Reopen — you generally have 90 days from the order date to file one.
- Report tips or suspicious activity through ICE's public tip line at 866-347-2423 if you have information relevant to public safety — this is separate from your own immigration case.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Your Rights During an ICE Encounter”.
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Anyone with a criminal record and an unresolved immigration case in the Houston area should treat this enforcement data as a direct warning. ICE does not need to announce a raid — if you have a final removal order, agents can arrest you at any time, including at your home or workplace. You have 30 days from a removal order to appeal to the BIA, and 90 days to file a Motion to Reopen if that window has closed — but neither option is guaranteed to stop removal without legal help. Consult an immigration attorney before ICE makes that decision for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE arrest me if I have never been convicted of a crime?
Yes. ICE can arrest anyone who is in the US without legal status or who has violated the terms of their visa, regardless of criminal history. A criminal conviction increases the priority level, but it is not required for an arrest or removal order.
What happens if ICE arrests me in the Houston area?
You will likely be taken to a detention facility and placed in removal proceedings before an immigration judge. You have the right to hire an attorney (at your own expense) and to appear at your immigration court hearing. Do not sign any documents without speaking to a lawyer first.
I have a DWI conviction. Does that put me at risk of deportation?
It can. A DWI conviction may be classified as a crime involving moral turpitude or an aggravated felony depending on the circumstances, which can make you a priority for removal. The ICE Houston data listed 495 DWI convictions among those arrested in May alone. An immigration attorney can assess your specific risk.
How do I appeal a removal order in Texas?
You have 30 days from the date of the removal order to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). If that deadline has passed, you may be able to file a Motion to Reopen within 90 days of the order. Both options require careful legal preparation — missing either deadline severely limits your choices.