U.S. Attorney Moore Capito Announces Success of Major Immigration Operation in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - United States Attorney Moore Capito is commending federal, state, and local law enforcement partners after "Operation Country Roads," a 15-day enforcement operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), resulted in 650 arrests throughout West Virginia.

More than 550 of the arrests during Operation Country Roads involved West Virginia law enforcement agencies assisting ICE through the 287(g) program. West Virginia law enforcement led the nation in daily immigration arrests by 287(g) program participants during at least four days of the operation, which concluded on January 19, 2026.

"This operation is a clear demonstration of the strength, discipline, and resolve of our state and local law enforcement partners," said Capito. "We are delivering on our promise to the people of West Virginia: the law will be enforced. I stand unequivocally with the men and women of law enforcement who put in long hours and do the difficult work required to protect our communities, defend the rule of law, and preserve the integrity of our nation's legal system."

The 287(g) program delegates to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under ICE's direction and oversight. To date, 25 West Virginia law enforcement entities have signed agreements with ICE to participate in the 287(g) program, including three state-level agencies and 11 county and local agencies within the Southern District of West Virginia.

Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials identified and arrested individuals illegally residing in the United States who present dangers to national security and risks to public safety, as well as those who entered the United States illegally or have otherwise undermined the integrity of U.S. immigration laws and border control efforts. Several of those arrested have serious criminal histories, including convictions for child sex abuse, drug possession and endangering the welfare of children.

"This operation demonstrates how strong partnerships between ICE and West Virginia law enforcement agencies enhance public safety and the integrity of our immigration system," said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Michael Rose. "By training and supporting our 287(g) partners across the state, we've expanded local capacity to identify, arrest, and process illegal aliens while ensuring these authorities are exercised professionally and consistent with the law."

While most immigration enforcement arrests are handled through an administrative process and removal proceeding, multiple arrests during Operation Country Roads resulted in federal criminal charges in the Southern District of West Virginia. These include immigration-related charges against eight individuals resulting from the execution of federal search warrants at a Nitro business and residence on January 16, 2026.

The West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia National Guard, and the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation are the state-level participants in the 287(g) program. The 287(g) participants in the Southern District of West Virginia also include the Cabell, Fayette, McDowell, Nicholas, Putnam, and Wood sheriff's offices and the Fayetteville, Hurricane, Oak Hill, Richwood, and Summersville police departments.

"The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is always proud to assist our federal partners in the enforcement of the law," said Putnam County Sheriff Bobby Eggleton. "Illegal immigrant enforcement actions are a way to make our communities safer and that is my ultimate goal and responsibility."

"I appreciate and support our federal law enforcement officers and our involvement to work toward a common goal of safely protecting Cabell County," said Cabell County Sheriff Doug Adams. "By participating in this campaign, we have been able to successfully assist in removing dangerous fugitives. As always, we remain committed to protecting our citizens both native born and legal immigrants who call our community home."

The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia participated in Operation Country Roads in furtherance of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration as well as achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

###