KENS 5 is continuing to monitor the court status of the people arrested, whom federal officials said are suspected of being undocumented and tied to Tren de Aragua.
SAN ANTONIO — Political leaders and immigrant advocacy groups are weighing in following a large multi-agency raid early Sunday morning that resulted in 140 people being taken into ICE custody.
The operation, conducted by the newly launched Homeland Security Task Force-South Texas, along with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, targeted individuals suspected of being undocumented and allegedly tied to a Venezuelan criminal network known as Tren de Aragua. Authorities have not yet released details on the status or location of those arrested, and KENS 5 continues to work to confirm that information.
Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro criticized the raid in a video posted to social media, saying the tactics used by federal agents are vicious and brutal, particularly when it came to operations in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and Charlotte.
“Instead of going after criminals, they’re going and arresting U.S. citizens, they’re arresting immigrants with no criminal record,” Castro said. “I have put in requests for information to the Department of Justice, to the San Antonio Police Department, to ICE, asking for information.”
Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales issued a statement supporting the law enforcement action in San Antonio and said he plans to push for additional resources for local agencies combating transnational criminal activity.
“In Congress, I’ve been a huge proponent of funding and creating task forces just like the one that dismantled a strong presence of Tren de Aragua activity in San Antonio,” Gonzales said. “I’m working to deliver additional intelligence resources for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office to analyze criminal intelligence and combat future transnational criminal activity to continue building upon strong public safety outcomes in South Texas.”
On X, Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn also praised the operation conducted by the regional Homeland Security Task Force.
Governor Greg Abbott, who was in San Antonio on Monday for an event hosted by the Texas Association of Business, was unavailable for interviews. On X, Abbott claimed the operation apprehended 200 individuals and said the raid targeted a sex and human trafficking ring.
While lawmakers are providing perspective, immigrant-rights organizations are mobilizing like the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).
“We’re going to work together with other organizations to find out where the holding facility is so that we can begin to protest,” said Gabriel Rosales, LULAC’s Texas Civil Rights Director. “And to let the immigrant community know we’re with them 100%.