Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have arrested multiple “worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens” in Memphis, Tennessee, as part of President Donald Trump’s push to crack down on violent crime and make the city safe, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in an Oct. 20 statement.
Arrested individuals include alleged pedophiles, gang members, drug traffickers, domestic abusers, and rapists, according to the agency.
Among the arrested are a Honduran national who allegedly committed “the sex offense of fondling a child,” an alleged Mexican Sureno 13 gang member with convictions of assault and possession of narcotic equipment, and a Guatemalan national who allegedly committed domestic violence.
“Memphis has suffered from historic levels of violent crime including a murder rate that is four times higher than Mexico City. No American should be afraid to walk down the streets in their own neighborhoods,” DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said.
“In Memphis, DHS law enforcement is working hand in glove with Attorney General [Pam] Bondi to enhance public safety, fight crime, and provide much-needed support to our law enforcement partners at the local, state, and federal level. The Trump administration WILL make America safe again.”
Trump issued a presidential memorandum on Sept. 15 to establish a Memphis Safe Task Force and make National Guard personnel available to support public safety and law enforcement operations in Memphis.
“The city of Memphis, Tennessee, is suffering from tremendous levels of violent crime that have overwhelmed its local government’s ability to respond effectively,” the memorandum states.
The National Guard started patrolling in Memphis on Oct. 10.
Memphis has the highest violent crime rate among U.S. cities at 2,501 per 100,000 residents in 2024, much higher than second-ranked Detroit at 1,781 violent crimes. Memphis’ violent crime rate last year was around six times higher than the national average.
Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Tennessee has faced opposition. On Oct. 17, a group of state officials filed a lawsuit against Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and other officials.