Report disputes claims about recent ICE arrests in WV, says 75% of immigrants had no criminal record

An ACLU West Virginia analysis challenges statements by state officials about a winter immigration crackdown, arguing the narrative did not reflect the facts. The 23-page report by Kyle Vass of Dragline notes that 75% of those arrested had no criminal record and there were zero detentions for sexual assault or crimes involving children, with only two misdemeanor drug-possession cases among 593 arrests in the state. The ACLU-WV also says officials inflated arrest totals by about 10%, claiming 650 arrests when records show 593, with the remainder occurring in Pennsylvania. Governor Patrick Morrisey promotes the 287(g) program, while the report notes involvement of the National Guard and state Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation in the detentions. ICE announced more than 600 arrests in West Virginia during a two-week surge called Operation Country Roads. The ACLU-WV contends the operation looked little like its public narrative, urging scrutiny of official claims and transparency.