Over 650 Arrested in West Virginia Immigration Enforcement Operation

ICE and local law enforcement partnered in a two-week crackdown on undocumented immigrants with criminal histories.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 6:47pm

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A large-scale immigration enforcement operation in West Virginia resulted in the arrest of more than 650 individuals who were found to be living in the United States without legal authorization. The effort, dubbed 'Operation Country Roads,' was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with assistance from 14 West Virginia law enforcement partners under the federal 287(g) program. Officials said several of those taken into custody had serious criminal histories, including convictions for offenses such as child sex abuse, drug possession, and endangering the welfare of children.

Why it matters

The operation highlights the ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement, with local officials supporting the crackdown on undocumented immigrants with criminal records, while others have raised concerns about the legality and impacts of such raids on communities. The use of the 287(g) program, which allows certain local agencies to carry out immigration officer functions, has also drawn scrutiny from critics who argue it blurs the lines between federal and local law enforcement.

The details

Over 550 of the 650 arrests were made by trained state and local law enforcement officers working under the 287(g) program, including the West Virginia State Police, West Virginia National Guard, West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and several county sheriff's offices and municipal police departments. In addition to immigration-related detentions, a small number of arrests resulted in federal criminal charges connected to search warrants executed in Nitro on January 16.

  • The operation was conducted between January 5 and January 19, 2026.
  • The arrests in Nitro occurred on January 16.

The players

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and conducting deportation operations.

West Virginia State Police

The state law enforcement agency that participated in the operation under the 287(g) program.

U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia

The federal prosecutor's office that oversees the region where the operation took place.

Moore Capito

The U.S. Attorney who described the operation as a demonstration of cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement.

Breanna Morello

A Twitter user who shared information about the operation.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

Individuals arrested during the operation will typically enter removal proceedings under federal immigration law, while those facing criminal charges will be processed through the federal court system. Due process protections apply, and legal representation is available to those detained as their cases progress through the immigration system.

The takeaway

This operation highlights the ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement, with local officials supporting crackdowns on undocumented immigrants with criminal records, while others have raised concerns about the legality and impacts of such raids on communities. The use of the 287(g) program, which allows certain local agencies to carry out immigration officer functions, has also drawn scrutiny from critics who argue it blurs the lines between federal and local law enforcement.