The Trump administration’s aggressive efforts to arrest illegal immigrants and gang members are significantly contributing to a decline in crime across America, according to former FBI special agent JONATHAN GILLIAM. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Gilliam highlighted the impact of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations during the first 100 days of President DONALD TRUMP‘s administration.
During this period, ICE arrested 32,809 illegal immigrants, including 14,111 convicted criminals and 9,980 individuals with pending criminal charges. Additionally, 1,155 suspected gang members and 39 known or suspected terrorists were apprehended. In comparison, only 14 known or suspected terrorists were arrested at the border in the same timeframe in 2024.
JONATHAN GILLIAM emphasized that these arrests are making America safer. “The streets, the crime rate will go down as these busts occur,” he stated. “If [illegal immigrants] come here, they’re now going to be charged. Not a free pass anymore. You can see the difference there.”
Gilliam praised the work of border czar TOM HOMAN and Department of Homeland Security Secretary KRISTI NOEM, noting their methodical approach to targeting the most dangerous individuals. “They’re going after the most dangerous people that are out there and developing these cases very quickly,” he said. “At the same time, typically they’re getting other people that are there in those places that are illegal that may not be as dangerous, but they’re being deported as well.”
One notable case involved 24-year-old KEYCY ROBINSON ALEXI BARRERA-ROSA, an illegal immigrant arrested by ICE in La Plata, Maryland. Barrera-Rosa was charged with the murder of his girlfriend, LESBIA MILETH RAMIREZ GUERRA, whose body was found buried in a wooded area near Cedarville State Forest in Prince George’s County.
In a separate operation, ICE Miami collaborated with law enforcement agencies in “Operation Tidal Wave,” resulting in the arrest of nearly 800 illegal immigrants. Among those apprehended were an alleged MS-13 gang member, a convicted Colombian murderer, and a Russian national with an Interpol Red Notice for manslaughter. RAFAEL JUAREZ CABRERA, a Guatemalan national and alleged MS-13 member, was one of the individuals captured. He has illegally reentered the U.S. three times and has a felony reentry conviction.
The crackdown also extended to public officials, including Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge HANNAH DUGAN, who was charged with obstruction of an official proceeding for allegedly shielding an illegal immigrant from ICE agents. Gilliam stressed the importance of holding such individuals accountable. “It’s very important because whether it is the people that ICE is arresting, these judges, the leakers, or the people in the former Biden administration that allowed these people to go to hotels with the purpose of extending their stay until another liberal president could come in and try to change the laws where they could vote,” he said.
Fox News’ ALEXANDRA KOCH and BILL MELUGIN contributed to this report.
**Sources:**
[Fox News Digital](https://www.foxnews.com)
[ICE Operations](https://www.ice.gov)