Recent footage reveals U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Seattle, Washington, where a group of undocumented immigrants were prepared for deportation flights back to their countries of origin. ICE Air Operations (IAO), responsible for the transportation of individuals facing removal, utilizes both commercial and chartered flights for these operations.

The video, released by ICE Seattle, depicts agents on the airport tarmac preparing restraints and subsequently escorting handcuffed individuals towards the aircraft. While the destination of the flight remains undisclosed, ICE Seattle confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that these deportations are part of the agency's ongoing efforts to repatriate undocumented immigrants.

This activity coincides with a significant increase in ICE arrests. Data obtained by Fox News Digital indicates a 137% rise in interior ICE arrests between January 20 and February 8, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. Specifically, arrests of individuals with criminal records have nearly doubled, while arrests of fugitive aliens have seen a 156% increase.

The Trump administration has emphasized its focus on deporting individuals deemed the "worst of the worst," prioritizing those with criminal backgrounds and gang affiliations. However, officials maintain that all undocumented immigrants are subject to potential removal. These intensified enforcement efforts follow a series of policy changes, including the declaration of a national emergency at the border, the resumption of border wall construction, and the termination of Biden-era parole programs.

Furthermore, the administration is reportedly utilizing Guantánamo Bay to accommodate up to 30,000 detainees, with multiple flights departing last week. The Department of Justice has also initiated legal action against New York and Chicago for their sanctuary city policies.

These actions represent a significant shift in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, marking a departure from the policies of the previous administration.