According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, nine children were among the nearly 50 people arrested early Tuesday morning.
HAYS COUNTY, Texas — Dozens of suspected Tren de Aragua members have been arrested following a raid in Hays County.
The Texas Department of Public Safety revealed that multiple agencies have been investigating members believed to be a part of the Venezuelan gang.
Over the past few days, the FBI said it discovered a “possible gathering” of suspected Tren de Aragua members and associates east of Dripping Springs.
The Hays County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security, San Antonio police and Texas DPS said nearly 50 people, including minors, were arrested near a home in the area early Tuesday morning. Narcotics were also seized during the raid.
ICE shared the following details of the 47 people arrested:
- 25 adult males
- Nine adult, single females
- Four female head of households with nine children who are not U.S. citizens
ICE stated that everyone was transported to the Austin Resident Office for processing and that everyone arrested was found to be in the United States illegally.
San Marcos-based activist group Mano Amiga responded to the arrests with concerns about the lack of transparency behind the operation.
“This is about more than just one raid,” Mano Amiga said in a statement. “It’s about the ongoing pattern of criminalizing immigrants and people of color in the name of ‘security.'”
State and federal prosecutors have begun evaluating the arrests for any potential charges based on evidence they obtained during the raid.
The arrest is just the latest in enforcement actions the agency has taken in the Austin area since President Donald Trump returned to office in January. Before Tuesday’s arrest in Hays County, ICE also arrested a 34-year-old in the Austin area in February during “routine daily enforcement action.”