(COLUMBUS) - Federal immigration agents arrested more than 280 people across Ohio during a targeted enforcement operation in mid-December.
The Department of Homeland Security says Immigration and Customs Enforcement carried out Operation Buckeye from December 16 through December 21 in Columbus and other parts of the state. The operation focused on people considered public safety threats, including those with prior convictions for violent crimes, illegal gun possession, and drug trafficking.
Columbus city officials say local police were not notified ahead of time and did not take part in the arrests. The operation has now ended. Many of those arrested remain in county jails as immigration cases move forward. DHS says similar operations could be conducted in other regions.