Youngkin announces arrests of 521 illegal aliens and gang members charged with crimes

RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia Homeland Security Task Force (VHSTF), a federal-state partnership established by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat transnational organized crime, gang violence and immigration violations across Virginia passed 500 arrests this week, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Monday.

Of those 521 total arrests made since the operation started on February 25, 132 individuals are affiliated with gangs such as MS-13, Tren de Aragua, other transnational organized crime (TOC) organizations and criminal gangs.

“Thanks to the brave men and women of our federal and state law enforcement, more than 500 criminal illegal immigrants, including more than 130 gang-members, are off of Virginia’s streets and facing justice for their crimes,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “All Virginians should be proud that our State Troopers and Corrections Officers are a part of this incredible team of over 200 law enforcement officers. I am grateful for the leadership of President Trump, Attorney General Bondi, Secretary Noem, Director Patel, and Acting Director Lyons. What’s happening in Virginia is a model that should be replicated all across the country.”

The Task Force is led by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Erik S. Siebert, and consists of personnel from the following agencies:

• U.S. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DSS)
• Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
• U.S. Marshals Service (USMS)
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (BATFE)
• U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and U.S. Customs Air Marine
• High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force
• Virginia State Police
• Virginia Department of Corrections

The VHSTF was formally announced on March 3rd. VHSTF operations will continue with partner agencies conducting long-term narcotics, violent gang, and transnational organized crime investigations according to their respective authorities.

On February 27, 2025, Governor Youngkin signed Executive Order 47, which directed the Virginia State Police and Virginia Department of Corrections to sign 287(g) memoranda with ICE ERO, which allows the agencies to directly enforce federal immigration law. ICE approved the agreements within 20 hours, reportedly a record.