U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s daily operations focus on arresting and removing immigration violators, an ICE spokesperson told Variety in an email on Thursday.
“ICE officers and agents are on the streets every day, prioritizing public safety by locating, arresting, and removing criminal alien offenders and immigration violators from our neighborhoods,” the spokesperson said.
“All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention, and — if found removable by final order — removed from the U.S.,” the spokesperson added.
On June 12, videos circulated on social media showing law enforcement officers wearing vests labeled “POLICE ICE” and “HSI POLICE” making arrests at two locations in Garapan. One of the arrests took place near the Garapan Roundhouse on Middle Road; the other occurred at a residence in MIHA Housing, also in Garapan.
Both individuals arrested were Chinese nationals who had overstayed their CNMI visas.
Asked about the specifics of the arrests, the ICE spokesperson said: “Due to our operational tempo and the increased interest in our agency, we are not able to research and respond to specifics of routine daily operations for ICE.”
“Since Jan. 20, ICE has significantly increased its immigration enforcement activities with additional support from other federal law enforcement and [Department of Defense] partners,” the spokesperson added.
A federal law enforcement officer, speaking to Variety on condition of anonymity, said: “ICE is doing what they’ve been doing for the last couple of years — arresting illegal aliens. A video circulates, and everyone freaks out!”
On March 26, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a memorandum from the deputy attorney general announcing the launch of Operation Take Back America.
The initiative enforces President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at stopping illegal immigration, dismantling criminal organizations, and ending illegal drug and human trafficking.
