ICE arrests over 650 in West Virginia during two-week ‘Operation Country Roads’
ICE and 14 federal, state and local partners arrested more than 650 undocumented immigrants across West Virginia during “Operation Country Roads” (Jan. 5–19, 2026), officials said, targeting individuals who posed public-safety or national-security risks.
- Operation Country Roads ran Jan. 5–19, 2026 and resulted in more than 600 — and by some counts over 650 — arrests statewide.
- 287(g) involvement: Over 550 arrests involved West Virginia agencies acting under the 287(g) program.
- Statewide deployment: Teams worked in Charleston, Martinsburg, Beckley, Moorefield, Morgantown and Huntington, among other locations.
Overview
Operation Country Roads was a two-week, statewide enforcement surge conducted Jan. 5–19, 2026. ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations coordinated with 14 federal, state and local partners to arrest individuals with criminal histories and people who entered the country unlawfully.
Operation details and agency roles
Scope and partners: ICE said the operation involved teams deployed to judicial and population centers across West Virginia and included the West Virginia State Police, the National Guard, Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, county deputies from Cabell, Fayette, McDowell, Nicholas, Putnam and Wood, and municipal police from towns such as Fayetteville, Hurricane, Oak Hill, Richwood and Summersville.
ICE described the effort as a demonstration of partnership with state and local law enforcement. Acting ERO Philadelphia Field Office Director Michael Rose said the sweep “demonstrates how strong partnerships between ICE and West Virginia law enforcement agencies enhance public safety and the integrity of our immigration system” and highlighted training and support for 287(g) partners.
“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.” — Michael Rose, ERO (as quoted by ICE/Fox reporting)
Sources cited in reporting: coverage and agency statements are available from Fox News, regional reportage at WV MetroNews and local TV summaries at WCHS/WVAH.
The 287(g) program and West Virginia’s role
Extent of 287(g) activity: Federal records and a U.S. attorney’s office statement said more than 550 arrests involved local officers operating under the 287(g) program, which authorizes trained state and local officers to identify and process people for immigration enforcement under ICE supervision.
According to the U.S. attorney’s office, 25 West Virginia entities participate in 287(g), including three state agencies and 11 county/local agencies in the Southern District. The governor signed a 287(g) memorandum of agreement in August 2025 and issued an executive order directing cooperation on illegal immigration after the 2025 inauguration.
U.S. Attorney Moore Capito noted West Virginia law enforcement led the nation in 287(g)-related arrests on at least four days during the operation, reflecting expanded local enforcement capacity.
Further details from the U.S. attorney’s office are available at U.S. Attorney’s Office (Southern District of West Virginia).
Notable arrests and charges
Officials highlighted multiple arrests involving individuals with prior convictions or final removal orders. Notable cases included:
- Sagar Singh, an Indian national, arrested Jan. 8 during a commercial vehicle safety operation after failing to stop at a brake check; he had a prior removal order. (Reported by Fox News and WV MetroNews.)
- Ling Yan (Yang Ning), identified as a Chinese national, arrested Jan. 11; ICE said she had two Ohio convictions for endangering the welfare of children and a final removal order. (Reported by Fox News and CNY Central.)
- Officials also cited arrests of people with convictions for drug possession, violent offenses and a convicted child sex offender; details were summarized in ICE/local reports.
Local enforcement experience and reported performance
State Police Superintendent Col. Jim Mitchell said that since September 2025, State Police assisted ICE in roughly 250 arrests without reported procedural errors — a point officials used to defend 287(g) work.
The Justice Department and the U.S. attorney’s office praised coordination and processing improvements; local reporting noted eight immigration-related charges filed after operations in Nitro on Jan. 16. Many cases will proceed through federal immigration courts; some individuals already held final removal orders while others may face criminal or administrative proceedings.
Coverage variations and dissenting views
Most outlets placed the arrests in a similar range: Fox News used “over 650,” while others used “more than 600.” Some reporting raised concerns that expanded enforcement and 287(g) reliance could risk constitutional overreach; that line of coverage suggested potential legal challenges but offered limited named court actions at the time.
No protests were reported connected to the operation in the sources reviewed.
Implications for the Inland Empire
Economic impact
Inland Empire industries — agriculture, warehousing and construction — rely on immigrant labor. Large-scale enforcement actions elsewhere can signal tougher enforcement nationally. Local employers may face worker shortages or alter hiring practices to reduce exposure. Businesses should review I-9 compliance and employment policies.
If federal enforcement increases detention and deportation proceedings, indirect effects could include legal costs, jail housing contracts and shifts in social-service demand that affect local budgets.
Political consequences
The operation highlights the role of 287(g) programs and may shape policy debates in the Inland Empire, where California’s approach differs from West Virginia’s. Local officials and voters could treat this case as a reference point when weighing public safety, civil liberties and potential cooperation with ICE.
Social effects
Large enforcement sweeps can chill trust between immigrant communities and police, reducing crime reporting and service use. Families and children may experience disruptions to schooling and income. Agencies should bolster community policing, multilingual outreach, and trauma-informed services.
Cultural relevance and preparedness
Community and faith-based groups in the Inland Empire often support immigrant families; the West Virginia operation may spur local organizations to strengthen legal aid networks, know-your-rights outreach and multilingual communications.
Practical applications for residents and employers
- Know-your-rights: Residents should access updated resources from local nonprofits, bar associations and clinics.
- Employers: Confirm I-9 compliance, avoid discriminatory practices and consult employment counsel.
- Local governments: Review emergency plans for school tracking, social-service coordination and legal support if enforcement patterns change.
Sources and further reading
- ICE and reporting on Operation Country Roads
- Local coverage and broader reporting (WV MetroNews)
- CNY Central reporting on notable arrests
- U.S. Attorney’s office statement and 287(g) details
- Local TV reporting on participating agencies and Nitro charges (WCHS/WVAH)
- Coverage raising legal concerns (Mountain State Spotlight)
- Additional reporting referenced in coverage
Reporting compiled from ICE statements and regional news coverage; Times Media Service.
