Youngkin says 2,500 people living in U.S. illegally have been arrested via statewide task force

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- We are getting more insight into the Virginia Homeland Security Task Force, the multi-agency group tasked with catching those living in the U.S. illegally in Virginia. 

Gov. Glenn Youngkin told reporters on Wednesday, July 2, that the task force has arrested over 2,500 people.

“MS-13 members, Tren De Aragua, other international violent gang members,” Youngkin said. 

The task force, which was created earlier this year, is composed of federal and state agencies, including the Virginia State Police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

Youngkin said many of those arrested are violent criminals or gang members, typically involved in the drug trade. 

“It starts with either someone who is a drug dealer who is here illegally, that then leads to the connective tissue of folks that are known members of violent gangs, and others that are just part of other gangs or supporting the drug distribution network, and they’re here illegally,” Youngkin said. 

Youngkin’s comments come even as our reporting found that roughly half of the people detained at two ICE facilities in Virginia don’t have criminal records. 

“Yes. First of all, if you break the law in America and you’re here illegally, then you should be detained and deported," Youngkin said, regarding whether those living in the U.S. illegally should be arrested for things like a traffic violation -- something that happened at the Chesterfield County Courthouse in June.

8News asked Youngkin how many of the 2,5000 people arrested by the Virginia Homeland Security Task Force were violent criminals.

Youngkin didn’t provide a specific percentage, but said the number was substantial.