ICE arrests more than 650 in West Virginia operation; state 287(g) partners credited for sweep
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement carried out “Operation Country Roads” in West Virginia from Jan. 5–19, 2026, resulting in more than 650 arrests and heavy reliance on local partners through the state’s expanded 287(g) program.
Key takeaways
- More than 650 arrests statewide during Jan. 5–19, 2026, in ICE’s two-week surge, with reporting counts ranging from 600+ to 650+ (WJLA, WV MetroNews).
- Operation Country Roads was led by ICE ERO Philadelphia and relied on a statewide 287(g) network that accounted for more than 550 assisted arrests (U.S. Attorney’s Office release).
- Multiple locations targeted: Charleston, Martinsburg, Beckley, Moorefield, Morgantown and Huntington, with both federal and local partners involved (WJLA).
Operation overview
Federal officials say ICE and 14 federal, state and local partners arrested more than 650 people across West Virginia from Jan. 5 to Jan. 19, 2026. Sources reporting the sweeps include WJLA and WV MetroNews, while the Department of Justice release provides operational details and the official count (U.S. Attorney’s Office release).
Operation name and scope
ICE called the effort “Operation Country Roads”, a two-week statewide surge run by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia that used mobile and field teams supported by state and local partners. The teams operated in Charleston, Martinsburg, Beckley, Moorefield, Morgantown and Huntington (WJLA; WV MetroNews).
Operation details
ICE said arrests included people who entered the country illegally and those identified as threats to public safety or national security. Teams relied heavily on local law enforcement trained under the state’s 287(g) agreement to identify, arrest and process individuals for immigration violations (U.S. Attorney’s Office release).
Michael Rose, acting Field Office Director for ICE ERO Philadelphia, said the effort “demonstrates how strong partnerships between ICE and West Virginia law enforcement agencies enhance public safety and the integrity of our immigration system.”
Notable arrests and charges
Local reporting and federal releases named several individual cases and related charges:
- Sagar Singh, described as an Indian national operating an unsafe tractor-trailer (WV MetroNews).
- Ling Yan, also known as Yang Ning, a Chinese national with a prior Ohio conviction for endangering children and subject to a removal order (WV MetroNews).
- Federal criminal charges from search warrants executed in Nitro on Jan. 16, 2026 — U.S. Attorney Moore Capito said eight people faced federal charges tied to that enforcement action (U.S. Attorney’s Office release).
Law enforcement partnerships and the West Virginia 287(g) program
The sweep relied on a growing network of local partners trained under a statewide 287(g) agreement. The Justice Department listed 25 West Virginia entities that took part, including state agencies and multiple county and municipal partners (U.S. Attorney’s Office release).
- State agencies: West Virginia State Police, National Guard and Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (U.S. Attorney’s Office release).
- County and municipal partners: Sheriff’s offices in Cabell, Fayette, McDowell, Nicholas, Putnam and Wood counties and police departments in Fayetteville, Hurricane, Oak Hill, Richwood and Summersville (U.S. Attorney’s Office release).
Governor Patrick Morrisey signed a Memorandum of Agreement with ICE in August 2025 to expand the program. State Police Superintendent Col. Jim Mitchell reported about 250 assisted arrests since September 2025 and stated the program had no reported errors per state accounts (WV MetroNews).
Official praise and local leaders’ statements
Federal and state officials framed the operation as a win for public safety. U.S. Attorney Moore Capito praised partner agencies for enforcing the law and keeping communities safe; Governor Morrisey commended the removals of what he described as “dangerous criminals” (U.S. Attorney’s Office release; WJLA).
Protests and civil rights concerns
ICE and state officials said no protests occurred during the two-week operation itself, but organizers scheduled two demonstrations for Jan. 31, 2026 — “Take Down The Tyrants” at Marshall University in Huntington and “ICE Out of Everywhere” near a Department of Homeland Security office in Putnam County (WV MetroNews).
At least one outlet raised constitutional and civil-rights questions. Mountain State Spotlight reported on a State Police stop near the I-77 tollbooth that led to the arrest of Venezuelan citizen Antony Segundo Larrazabal-Gonzalez and noted court challenges from immigrants claiming asylum or legal status; Mountain State Spotlight also reported the governor’s office did not provide requested arrest numbers (Mountain State Spotlight).
Reporting consistency and limits
Local and national outlets show consistent reporting on the scale of arrests, with counts ranging from more than 600 to more than 650. The U.S. Attorney’s Office release provides the most precise figure and uses the operational name used by ICE. Details on the full list of arrestees, final court outcomes, and post-operation handling of detainees were not publicly available at the time of reporting (U.S. Attorney’s Office release; WJLA).
Implications for the United States
Economic impact
Removing undocumented workers can affect local labor pools in agriculture, construction and food processing, especially in rural counties that depend on seasonal or low-cost labor. Costs may shift to local and federal budgets for detention, court processing and deportation proceedings (WV MetroNews).
Political consequences
The operation highlights a federal-state partnership model that could be emulated elsewhere. Conservative voters prioritizing public safety and enforcement may view the sweep as a success, while the action is likely to intensify national partisan debate over local participation in federal immigration enforcement (U.S. Attorney’s Office release).
Social effects
Detentions can separate families and disrupt households in small towns where social services and legal aid are limited. Civil-rights groups have flagged cases of asylum seekers and others who claim wrongful detention, which can lead to prolonged legal battles. At the same time, some rural residents report relief when people with criminal records are removed, framing enforcement as a public-safety priority (Mountain State Spotlight; WJLA).
Cultural relevance
In conservative rural communities, 287(g) cooperation fits a local emphasis on order, rule of law and community safety. The state’s expanded 287(g) network is likely to gain support among voters who prioritize those values (U.S. Attorney’s Office release).
Practical effects for residents
- Motorists and travelers may encounter more stops near checkpoints tied to immigration enforcement; counties participating in 287(g) should expect continued collaboration between local police and federal agents (Mountain State Spotlight).
- Local governments should prepare for increased legal and social-service needs: court dockets, detention costs and requests for assistance following large enforcement actions.
Reporting notes and sources
This report draws on ICE and Justice Department releases and on local reporting across West Virginia. Key sources include WJLA, WV MetroNews, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, and Mountain State Spotlight.
Note: Authorities have not released a full list of all individuals arrested or the final legal outcomes for every case. Requests for additional data from the governor’s office and some local agencies were not answered in time for publication (Mountain State Spotlight).
