ICE Confirms 'Operation Safe Community — Indiana' Netted 426 Arrests Over Five Days

ICE publicly confirmed on September 16, 2026 — nearly two weeks after it ended — that the previously unnamed enforcement surge around Indianapolis was 'Operation Safe Community — Indiana,' a five-day operation running August 30 through September 3 that resulted in 426 arrests statewide. ICE said those arrested had criminal histories including sex crimes, assault, battery, drug trafficking, weapons offenses, burglary, fraud, and identity theft, and that members of MS-13, 18th Street, and Tren de Aragua were among those detained. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said his office was never contacted in advance, and Indiana Governor Mike Braun said he was also unaware beforehand, adding the operation's scope 'varie[d] a little bit from the approach of the worst first.' School attendance at one west-side Indianapolis school reportedly dropped from a typical 95% to as low as 40% during the operation, and the Tippecanoe Latino Festival canceled its September 12 event.