Columbus, Ohio; December 23rd, 2025
Federal immigration authorities concluded a targeted enforcement effort in Ohio this week, as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the results of Operation Buckeye, an operation focused on identifying and arresting noncitizens with serious criminal convictions.
According to the official ICE release, Operation Buckeye was conducted by Enforcement and Removal Operations officers working in coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners throughout Ohio. The operation prioritized individuals with documented criminal histories, including convictions for felony drug possession, assault offenses, driving under the influence, and other crimes reflected in court records.
ICE stated that those arrested during the operation had previously been encountered by the criminal justice system and were taken into custody based on existing enforcement authority. The agency emphasized that the operation was designed to concentrate resources on individuals assessed as presenting elevated public safety concerns, rather than broad or indiscriminate enforcement activity.
The agency reported that arrests were carried out in multiple Ohio communities over the course of the operation. Individuals taken into custody were processed through established immigration procedures, with cases subject to review by immigration courts as required under federal law. ICE noted that outcomes may include detention, removal proceedings, or other actions consistent with legal process and judicial determination.
Operation Buckeye, according to ICE, reflects a continued focus on what the agency describes as “worst of the worst” offenders, a term used in the release to describe individuals with serious or repeated criminal convictions. ICE stated that concentrating enforcement efforts on such cases aligns with its mission to enforce immigration law while supporting broader public safety objectives.
ICE officials highlighted the role of interagency cooperation during the operation, noting that information sharing and coordination with partner agencies enabled officers to locate and arrest individuals with outstanding enforcement priorities. The agency described these partnerships as central to executing operations efficiently and within legal boundaries.
The release did not indicate the total number of arrests or the final disposition of individual cases, noting that enforcement operations remain ongoing and that case outcomes depend on judicial review and immigration proceedings. ICE stated that additional information may be released as cases progress through the legal system.
Operation Buckeye forms part of ICE’s broader enforcement activity across the Midwest, with similar operations periodically conducted in other states. The agency stated that such efforts are intended to uphold federal law while focusing resources on cases involving significant criminal histories.
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Sources
Primary First-Hand Sources
- U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, official ICE release detailing Operation Buckeye arrests in Ohio, December 2025
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