U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested over 200 illegal aliens in the Houston area who were charged or convicted of sex crimes involving minors, according to a Monday press release, as reported by Fox News.

The arrests have drawn support from both sides of the political aisle, with Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) backing the operation and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) calling for the death penalty for those convicted.

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ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Houston confirmed that between February and July, agents arrested 214 illegal aliens accused or convicted of sex offenses involving minors.

The agency stated that the individuals were taken into custody for immigration violations and pose a significant threat to public safety.

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In a statement released by ICE, ERO Houston Acting Field Office Director Paul McBride said:

“Bringing together the resources and expertise of the entire federal law enforcement community to confront the overwhelming surge of illegal immigration that we saw over the past four years has resulted in the arrest and removal of historic numbers of violent criminal aliens, transnational gang members and child sex offenders.”

Sen. Fetterman expressed qualified support for ICE’s actions in a post on X, on Monday. “I don’t support or agree with all of ICE’s tactics or actions. I do fully support moves like these. This makes our nation more secure and all our children safer,” Fetterman wrote.

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Fetterman has previously defended ICE from calls to dismantle the agency. In past comments, he has described efforts to abolish ICE as both “inappropriate” and “outrageous.”

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Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), responding to the news, took a firmer stance. Luna called for the death penalty for the offenders involved.

“These monsters deserve the death penalty,” she stated, condemning the crimes and urging lawmakers to support stronger enforcement and punishment measures.

Feb 7, 2023; Washington, DC, USA; Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., left, talks with Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., before President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Washington. Mandatory Credit: Jacquelyn Martin/Pool-USA TODAY NETWORK

The latest ICE operation comes as President Donald Trump’s administration continues its nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration and prioritizes the removal of criminal aliens.

The arrests add to a growing list of high-profile ICE enforcement actions targeting violent and repeat offenders.

ICE confirmed that many of those arrested had prior convictions or pending charges involving crimes such as sexual assault of a child, possession of child pornography, and lewd acts with a minor. All individuals taken into custody are undergoing removal proceedings.