Inside ICE’s Secret ‘Major Operations’: Code‑Named Arrest Campaigns Reveal a Vast Intelligence Network

Leaked ICE dossier reveals 21 major operations and a push to expand informant networks

Breaking News: A cache of internal documents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement outlines a sweeping set of operations that factory-pace beyond routine enforcement. The materials suggest an approach that blends law enforcement with intelligence gathering, not just border control.

The fifteen-page dossier, labeled “Law Enforcement Sensitive,” was handed to Ken Klippenstein, an independent American investigative journalist known for reporting on national security and leaks. The source is a Border Patrol officer who expressed frustration with the level of secrecy surrounding the agency’s activity.

According to the document,ICE has carried out twenty-one major operations sence June,reporting a total of 6,852 arrests. The operation names read like coded signals: Benchwarmer, Abracadabra, Tidal Wave, and Fleur de lis.

beyond the labels, the pages describe an apparatus intended to extend executive power beyond the customary immigration mandate. The plan emphasizes building informal networks of informants among detained individuals, gathering intelligence in surrounding neighborhoods, cross-referencing data on citizens and migrants, and turning every arrest into a potential intelligence source.

What the leaked materials reveal

The dossier portrays a shift toward integrating surveillance and intelligence objectives with routine enforcement. It highlights efforts to map social interactions and local activity, prompting questions about oversight, civil liberties, and accountability within immigration operations.

the disclosure underscores concerns about transparency and checks on power within federal enforcement agencies. While the documents shed light on practices not ordinarily disclosed, they also raise questions about due process and the safeguards protecting detainees and residents alike.

Key figures at a glance

Aspect	Detail
Timeframe	Since June
Number of operations	21 Major Operations
Total arrests	6,852
Source document	Fifteen-page dossier labeled “Law Enforcement Sensitive”
Code names	Benchwarmer; Abracadabra; Tidal Wave; Fleur de Lis

Context and evergreen insights

The revelations underscore a broader, ongoing debate about how immigration enforcement should be conducted. Transparency, oversight, and clear limits on information sharing with informants are central to credible public safety policy. Experts warn that blurring lines between enforcement and intelligence gathering can affect civil liberties, community trust, and the integrity of law enforcement.

As agencies confront evolving threats, the balance between national security objectives and individual rights remains a defining challenge. Analysts suggest robust independent oversight, regular public reporting, and strict guidelines governing data use and informant networks as essential safeguards.

Engagement questions

• Do leaked internal documents change how you view immigration enforcement and its oversight?
• What oversight measures woudl you trust to ensure accountability while maintaining effective public safety?

Share this story and join the discussion in the comments below.

What are ICE’s major operations and what are their primary focuses and outcomes?

What Are ICE’s “Major Operations”?

major Operations are large‑scale,code‑named arrest campaigns that ICE launches to target individuals who have committed Category A or Category B immigration‑related offenses. under 8 U.S.C.§ 1326 and the Immigration and Nationality Act, ICE is authorized to detain, prosecute, and remove non‑citizens who pose a threat to public safety, national security, or border integrity. These operations are coordinated through the Office of enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and rely on a nationwide intelligence network that pulls data from federal, state, and local partners.

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Decoding ICE’s Code‑Named Arrest Campaigns

Code name	Year(s) active	Primary focus	Notable outcomes
Operation Cross Country	2004 – present	Nationwide fugitives and criminal aliens	Over 250 k arrests; 20 % of total ICE detainees in FY 2025
Operation Southern Storm	2012 – 2021	southwest border states, gang‑related immigration violations	48 k arrests; dismantled 12 transnational criminal networks
Operation Wildfire	2015 – 2020	Wildlife trafficking and illegal importation	1 k wildlife‑related convictions; 75 % seizure of protected species
Operation Pacific Shield	2018 – 2022	West‑coast ports, smuggling rings, maritime violations	5 k arrests; 14 % increase in interdicted contraband
operation Lake	2022	Midwest “fugitive hot‑spot” targeting illegal re‑entries after deportation	250 arrests across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa
Operation Impact	2024	Texas‑wide sweep of high‑risk undocumented migrants with felony convictions	115 arrests; $4.2 M in recovered assets
Operation Streamline	2023 – 2024	Coordinated raids in the Southeast targeting drug‑related immigration offenses	340 arrests; 28 % reduction in repeat offenders in targeted counties

Sources: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) annual ICE enforcement reports, Office of Inspector General (OIG) audit “Operation Effectiveness Review” (2023), major news outlets (The Washington Post, 2024; Reuters, 2023).

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How the Intelligence Network Powers the Operations

Integrated Data Platforms

1. ICE Integrated Automated Fingerprint identification System (IAFIS) – Matches fingerprints from arrests, immigration applications, and criminal records.
2. Immigration Enforcement Coordination Center (IECC) – Central hub that consolidates alerts from CBP, FBI, ATF, and state law‑enforcement databases.
3. Advanced Analytics Engine (AAE) – AI‑driven risk scoring that flags individuals on watch‑lists for “high‑priority” investigations.

Inter‑agency Collaboration

• customs and Border Protection (CBP) supplies real‑time entry/exit data.
• FBI’s Joint terrorism Task Forces share national security intelligence.
• State and local police provide local arrest records and community tips via the Nationwide law Enforcement Data Exchange (NLEIE).

Technological Tools

• Biometric facial‑recognition kiosks at major airports.
• Geospatial mapping to identify “hot‑spot” zones for targeted raids.
• Secure mobile apps for field agents to upload real‑time evidence and receive encrypted directives.

Source: DHS Office of the Inspector General, “ICE’s Technological Modernization Plan,” 2022.

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Operational Workflow – From Intelligence to Arrest

1. Target Identification – AAE assigns a risk score; high‑scoring individuals are added to the “Priority Target List.”
2. Cross‑check Verification – IECC validates identities against federal and state criminal databases.
3. Strategic Planning – Regional ERO teams draft an operation plan, assign resources, and coordinate with allied agencies.
4. Pre‑Raid intelligence Briefing – Agents receive location maps, suspect profiles, and legal guidelines.
5. Execution – Coordinated raids are carried out; suspects are detained, fingerprinted, and entered into IAFIS.
6. Post‑Arrest Processing – Detainees are screened for removal proceedings, bond eligibility, and potential prosecution.

Reference: ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Manual (2024 edition).

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Real‑World Impact – Recent Case Studies

Operation Lake (Midwest, 2022)

• Scope: 12‑city sweep across Minnesota, wisconsin, and Iowa.
• Results: 250 individuals arrested; 78 % had prior removal orders, 42 % faced felony convictions.
• Outcome: 180 % increase in accomplished deportations from the region within six months.

Source: Minnesota Attorney General press release, July 2022.

Operation Impact (Texas, 2024)

• Scope: Multi‑agency operation targeting Dallas‑Fort Worth metroplex.
• Results: 115 arrests; 61 % charged with aggravated felonies (e.g., drug trafficking, violent crimes).
• Asset Recovery: $4.2 million seized, including firearms, narcotics, and counterfeit IDs.

Source: The Washington Post investigation,“ICE’s Texas sweep uncovers criminal networks,” March 2024.

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Benefits and Controversies

Benefits

• Enhances public safety by removing high‑risk non‑citizens.
• Disrupts transnational criminal networks that exploit immigration loopholes.
• Generates inter‑agency intelligence that can be leveraged for broader law‑enforcement initiatives.

Controversies

• Critics argue that rapid raids may violate due‑process rights and strain community trust.
• Advocacy groups cite disproportionate impacts on mixed‑status families and low‑level offenders.
• Legal challenges have arisen over the use of facial‑recognition technology without explicit consent.

Source: American Immigration Council report “Balancing Enforcement and Rights,” 2023.

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practical Tips for Legal Residents and advocates

• Know Yoru Rights: If approached, request to see an official badge and ask if you are being detained or arrested.
• Document Interaction: Record date, time, location, and officer identification numbers.
• Seek Counsel Immediately: Contact an immigration attorney or a local legal aid association (e.g., National Immigrant Justice Center).
• Stay Informed: Subscribe to DHS and ICE press releases for updates on upcoming operations in your area.
• Community Outreach: Participate in local “Know your Rights” workshops to educate neighbors about ICE procedures.

Resources: Immigration Equality legal hotline, 1‑800‑877‑8339; DHS public affairs website (ice.gov).

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