Operation ‘Angel’s Honor’ Nets Over 1,000 Criminal Illegal Aliens in Christmas Enforcement Sweep
ATLANTA, Ga. — In a sweeping 14-day enforcement operation conducted during the holiday season, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested over 1,030 criminal illegal aliens as part of Operation “Angel’s Honor,” named in tribute to Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student murdered in 2024. The operation, announced on December 23, 2025, marked a significant effort by federal authorities to remove violent offenders from U.S. communities under the recently enacted Laken Riley Act.
ICE agents, working in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, targeted individuals who had been charged with serious crimes including burglary, theft, assault on law enforcement officers, and offenses causing serious bodily injury or death. The Laken Riley Act, passed with bipartisan support in January and signed into law by President Donald Trump, mandates detention and removal proceedings for non-citizens charged with such crimes.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised the operation’s results, stating, “We can never bring Laken back, but we can do everything in our power to bring these heinous criminals to justice.” She emphasized that the operation was a direct response to the “millions of violent criminal illegal aliens unleashed on the United States by the previous administration,” crediting the Trump administration with empowering ICE to act decisively.
Among those apprehended was Jamie Escobar-Mirales, a 37-year-old Mexican national arrested on December 18. ICE officials reported that Escobar-Mirales has a criminal history including two counts of child rape and is now facing removal proceedings. His arrest highlights the operation’s focus on removing some of the most dangerous offenders from American streets.
Operation “Angel’s Honor” also brought to justice Jose Ibarra, the Venezuelan illegal alien convicted of murdering Laken Riley in 2024. Ibarra was found guilty on ten counts related to Riley’s death, a case that galvanized Congressional action resulting in the Laken Riley Act.
ICE’s efforts during this operation are part of a broader strategy to enforce immigration laws while prioritizing public safety. Data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection corroborates the agency’s ongoing commitment to addressing illegal immigration and related criminal activity.
While ICE has faced criticism from various advocacy groups, the agency maintains that operations like “Angel’s Honor” are essential to protecting communities. The agency’s official statement underscored the bravery and dedication of ICE officers who carried out the arrests amid challenging conditions.
The operation’s timing during the Christmas season was no accident. DHS officials described the arrests as a “Christmas gift to Americans,” signaling the department’s resolve to uphold law and order even during the holidays.
For more information on ICE enforcement initiatives and public safety efforts, visit the ICE news portal and the Department of Homeland Security news page. This operation reflects an ongoing federal commitment to enforcing immigration laws while honoring victims of violent crime.
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