What the White House promoted as a decisive crackdown on violent crime in Washington, D.C., has taken an unexpected turn. Branded by President Donald Trump as a “monthlong federal crime emergency,” the operation was introduced as a sweeping offensive against gangs, drugs, and gun violence in the capital. But newly released figures show a striking reality: nearly half of those arrested were not violent offenders—they were immigrants.
Out of roughly 2,300 arrests, more than 940 were immigration-related, and only a small portion of those individuals had criminal records. While the administration highlighted successes such as the arrest of homicide suspects, the dismantling of gang networks, and the seizure of more than 220 illegal firearms, the data paints a more complex picture.
Federal agencies, empowered under Trump’s declaration of a “crime emergency,” operated with expanded authority in D.C., from the FBI and ATF to ICE and DHS. The deployment also included National Guard troops patrolling neighborhoods—a highly visible reminder of federal control in a city long sensitive about autonomy.
On paper, the surge produced measurable results against violent crime. But beneath the surface, immigration enforcement became the defining feature of the campaign. Families across immigrant-heavy communities suddenly found themselves in the crosshairs, with many residents avoiding jobs, schools, and even medical visits out of fear.
The official message from the White House emphasized safety. But for those directly affected, the operation has raised deeper questions: was this really about violent crime—or something else entirely?
