BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that the West Virginia State Police have arrested 60 illegal immigrants since beginning operations under the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 287(g) program.
“My administration continues to take aggressive action to combat illegal immigration with the support of President Donald Trump, Secretary Kristi Noem, and ICE,” said Governor Morrisey.
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“Our intent is to take any legal action necessary to protect West Virginians. If you are here illegally, if you are caught breaking our laws, if you are smuggling drugs – you will be arrested, you will be tried, and if found guilty, you will pay a heavy price.”
On Saturday, October 18, members of the West Virginia State Police Turnpike, the West Virginia Public Service Commission, ICE, and the DEA staged a checkpoint at I-77 exit 48 leading onto US Route 19 northbound to control commercial vehicle traffic around Bridge Day.
The operation led to the arrest of nine individuals determined to be in the country illegally.
A similar operation on US Route 19 near I-79 resulted in an additional nine arrests, bringing the total for the day to 18.
An earlier operation on the West Virginia Turnpike on October 12 led to the arrest of five illegal immigrants.
Combined with previous arrests, Governor Morrisey said the total number of arrests since operations began on September 22, 2025, now stands at 60.
“Governor Morrisey’s leadership has given the State Police the tools to crack down on illegal immigration and carry out our duty to protect West Virginians,” said Col. Jim Mitchell, Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police.
“We will continue to take any action allowed under the law to arrest and detain those who have violated our country’s immigration laws.”
“Working tirelessly through the current federal funding lapse, ICE ERO Philadelphia remains fully engaged with our West Virginia partners,” said Acting Philadelphia Field Office Director David O’Neill.
“Through the 287(g) partnership our joint efforts have already led to the arrests of 60 illegal aliens, and we will continue working together throughout the shutdown to safeguard the United States of America.”
