Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem led Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Northern Virginia on Tuesday morning as part of a two-day effort to target illegal alien gang members in the Washington, D.C., suburbs.

The raids were carried out in coordination with multiple federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

The operation focused on apprehending members of criminal organizations such as MS-13 and the 18th Street Gang, as well as individuals with prior convictions for violent or sexual crimes.

Despite a leak of the raid details by Vanity Fair congressional reporter Pablo Manriquez—who also appeared to provide guidance to potential targets on how to evade capture—Noem made it clear that the enforcement actions would not be disrupted.

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Following the raids, Noem issued a statement reinforcing her department’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws.

“We will not be deterred by leaks. If you come to this country and break our laws, we will hunt you down. Successful enforcement operation this morning—getting MS-13 members, 18th Street gang members and perpetrators of sexual crimes off our streets,” Noem posted on social media.

Later, she confirmed that the operations had successfully removed dangerous individuals from the community.

“Northern Virginia is safer this morning after a successful operation getting criminal aliens and gang members off our streets. Thank you to our brave enforcement officers,” Noem added.

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ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott was embedded with ICE agents during Tuesday’s raids, observing the arrest of multiple individuals with serious criminal histories.

During the first operation, officials detained a man identified as a member of the 18th Street Gang who was in the country illegally.

The second operation resulted in the arrest of a man with a prior conviction for sexual battery.

Authorities stated that he had previously been deported twice and had unlawfully re-entered the United States.

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The raids took place in several locations, including Arlington, Virginia—part of the congressional district represented by Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA). Beyer’s deputy chief of staff, Aaron Fritschner, mocked Noem for wearing protective gear during the operation.

“Secretary Noem wore a flak jacket to give herself added protection from the ongoing free weapons fire in the dangerous war zone of Arlington, Virginia,” Fritschner wrote sarcastically.

Despite criticism, the operation was carried out as planned, with federal officials emphasizing that the goal was to remove violent criminals and repeat offenders from American communities.

As the Biden-Harris administration faced criticism for its handling of illegal immigration, the Trump administration has prioritized border security and interior enforcement, including aggressive action against criminal alien gangs.

Tuesday’s raids in Northern Virginia marked another step in that strategy, with more operations expected in the coming weeks.

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