WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the end of a 14-day mission named Operation Angel’s Honor. The operation was named in memory of Laken Riley, a nursing student from Athens, Georgia who was killed in 2024.
Officials said agents arrested more than 1,030 people during the two-week period. The arrests were made under the Laken Riley Act. This law requires federal agents to detain immigrants who are in the country illegally and are accused of theft or other crimes.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem spoke about the results of the mission.
“In honor of Laken Riley, ICE launched Operation Angel’s Honor — in the last two weeks alone arresting more than 1,000 criminal illegal aliens under the authority of the Laken Riley Act,” Noem said. “We can never bring Laken back, but we can do everything in our power to bring these heinous criminals to justice.”
Noem also stated that agents have been given the power to remove “violent criminal illegal aliens” from the country. She noted that these individuals will now face justice.
ICE Director Todd Lyons explained the decision to name the operation after Riley.
“We named this operation ‘Angel’s Honor’ in honor of the memory of Laken Riley, whose life was tragically cut short by illegal alien crime,” Lyons said. “This operation, while a massive success, also serves as a solemn reminder of the profound impact that immigrant violence and crime can have on victims and their loved ones.”
According to ICE, the people arrested during the operation had criminal histories. The charges against them included rape, child sex crimes, torture, and attempted murder.
Lyons added that the agency will continue its work to protect the public.
“ICE’s mission is to ensure that no more Americans will fall victim to illegal alien crime,” Lyons said.
The operation concluded on Monday. The individuals arrested are now being processed for removal from the United States.
