DHS’s Tricia McLaughlin just confirmed that nearly 600 known or suspected terrorists have been arrested inside the United States—yet the federal government still can’t seem to convince left-leaning cities to stop handcuffing ICE and start prioritizing the safety of American citizens.
DHS Unveils Alarming Terror Arrest Numbers, Sanctuary Cities Shrug
Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, didn’t mince words: nearly 600 known or suspected terrorists have been arrested inside the U.S. under current enforcement actions. Let that number sink in. While the Biden era let border chaos spiral, the new administration’s aggressive tactics are finally shining a light on the catastrophic risks posed by our open border era. Instead of helping federal authorities keep terrorists and violent gang members off our streets, blue-state politicians are doubling down on “sanctuary” nonsense—leaving American families to wonder whose side their local government is on.
Enforcement operations haven’t just netted suspected terrorists. ICE and DHS have now arrested more than 2,700 members of the Tren de Aragua gang—a Venezuelan crime syndicate infamous for murder, rape, and extortion. The only thing more shocking than these numbers is how little they seem to worry the so-called “leaders” in cities like Los Angeles and Miami, who block ICE from accessing local jails. When ICE agents can’t safely detain dangerous criminals behind bars, they’re forced into high-risk street operations—all because leftist politicians would rather protect their radical agenda than their own constituents.
Trump’s Border Crackdown Reverses Years of Chaos
The new administration wasted no time making border security a top priority. Executive orders signed on Inauguration Day set the tone: build the wall, ramp up deportations, and stop the flood of illegal aliens undermining our safety and sovereignty. Customs & Border Patrol statistics make it clear these policies are working. Border encounters have plummeted from nearly 190,000 in early 2024 to just over 11,000 by March 2025—a staggering 93% drop in apprehensions at the southwest border. This is what happens when you put America first and actually enforce the law.
WARNING TEXAS & USA
"Al-Qaeda, sent 1000 fighters ISIS 2500 terrorists inside the United States legally, with easily over 8,000 terrorists have come in."
Open borders have allowed America to be invaded
Texans must be aware as a border state.
Wake Up
— John Ferguson (@JohnnyWhiskyTX) June 3, 2025
But while federal agents work overtime to restore order, local resistance is making their jobs harder and our cities less safe. ICE reports that 70% of their arrests target criminal illegal aliens with convictions or pending charges. Still, many so-called “non-criminals” turn out to be gang members or terror suspects who simply haven’t been caught in the act—yet. It’s a shell game that puts American lives at risk just so politicians can score points with the woke crowd.
Leftist Policies Put Citizens Last, Criminals First
Sanctuary policies are more than just misguided—they’re dangerous. By refusing to honor ICE detainers and blocking access to jail records, local officials force federal agents to hunt down violent offenders in the streets. This isn’t just inefficient, it’s reckless. Recent ICE raids in Florida, including the massive “Operational Tidal Wave,” resulted in the arrest of over 1,100 criminal noncitizens in a single week—the largest operation of its kind in two decades. The majority had prior arrests or convictions for serious crimes. But instead of cooperation and gratitude, agents face hostility and obstruction from the very people entrusted with public safety.
🚨 ICE nabs 600+ known terrorists & 2,700 Tren de Aragua gang members in the US! Biden’s weak borders let this happen. We need Trump’s tough policies to keep America safe! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/KMqaz0YuPA
— Victoria Byrne (@Thevictoria76) July 9, 2025
The message from Washington is finally getting through: American safety comes first, and the days of rolling out the red carpet for criminals are over. But leftist local governments are still clinging to their radical playbook, ignoring the real-world consequences for hard-working families already struggling with rising crime, inflation, and chaos at the border. The only thing more outrageous than these numbers is the indifference of the politicians sworn to protect us.
Sources:
DHS official leadership and press statements