ICE Shrugs Off Sanctuary Politics as Criminal Arrests Mount in Ohio [WATCH]

ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan said federal immigration enforcement operations in Ohio and other states will continue regardless of opposition from local leaders, as Immigration and Customs Enforcement faces a sharp increase in attacks on its agents during enforcement actions.

Speaking with Fox News correspondent Mike Emanuel, Sheahan discussed Operation Buckeye, an ICE enforcement effort launched in Ohio earlier this month.

“In Ohio for Operation Buckeye Madison. Good morning,” Emanuel said.

“Good morning. Thank you for having me,” Sheahan replied.

Emanuel asked for an update on the operation’s progress in the Buckeye State.

“Well, what’s the latest you’re seeing there in the Buckeye State?” Emanuel asked.

Sheahan said the operation began December 16 and has already resulted in arrests of individuals accused of serious crimes.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

“Well, we were able to kick this operation off on December 16, and with this operation, we’ve had a lot of success,” Sheahan said.

“Very quickly, our officers have gone out and truly arrested the worst of the worst, we have arrested gang members, murderers and rapists. We’ve arrested people with sex crime charges. We’ve arrested people with DWI charges, and we’ve been able to go after these people that have been in this country illegally.”

Sheahan said those arrested had taken advantage of the system in Ohio and embedded themselves in communities near Columbus.

“They have taken advantage of the system here in Ohio, and we’re putting a stop to that, allowing us to go after the worst of the worst who have embedded themselves in these communities near Columbus, Ohio,” she said.

Emanuel noted that Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has publicly opposed the federal operation and played a clip of the mayor’s comments.

“Our police will not be used to carry out these operations,” Ginther said in the video. “Columbus is already safe without federal intervention. Please take care of one another and know that your community leaders see and support you.”

Emanuel then asked Sheahan for her response.

“What’s your response to him and is his protest causing you any issues?” Emanuel asked.

Sheahan said ICE will continue enforcement actions regardless of whether local leaders cooperate.

“Well, look, we will continue to go into cities no matter if the locals want to work with us or not,” Sheahan said. “Sanctuary cities policies leaders who don’t want to work with ice is not going to deter ice from doing our job.”

She said ICE prefers to work alongside local law enforcement but will proceed independently if necessary.

“We want to walk beside law enforcement officers to allow them to go after the worst of the worst, the people that have been wrecking havoc in their communities,” Sheahan said.

“Now, if the city of Columbus doesn’t work with us, well that’s not going to stop us from going in and removing these criminals who have wrecked havoc on the American people for far too long.”

Emanuel also highlighted a recent incident in Maryland, where ICE agents were nearly struck by a van during an enforcement action on Christmas Eve.

Authorities said the driver attempted to run agents over, struck vehicles while fleeing, and crashed into a building. Homeland Security officials said both occupants of the van were in the country illegally on overstayed visas.

Emanuel noted a significant increase in vehicle attacks on federal agents.

“This is just the latest in a sharp rise in vehicle attacks on federal agents since President Trump took office,” Emanuel said, citing statistics showing 71 attacks on Customs and Border Protection agents since January 20 and 28 vehicle attacks on ICE agents.

Video clips included comments from Border Czar Tom Homan, who addressed the consequences of attacking ICE officers.

“Putting hands on an ICE officer, So I looked at the numbers the other day. I’ve never seen so many prosecutions in my life,” Homan said.

“So we’re sending a strong message, there is zero consequence. You put a hand on an ICE officer. If you interfere with an ICE officer, you’ll get a set of handcuffs and you’re going to go to jail and you’re going to be federally prosecuted.”

Emanuel asked Sheahan how concerning the trend has been for agents in the field.

“How troubling is this trend for your agents in the field who are at times, targets,” Emanuel asked.

Sheahan blamed rhetoric from Democratic lawmakers for encouraging dangerous behavior toward ICE agents.

“Well, what we’ve seen is Democrat lawmakers continue to use this dangerous rhetoric,” Sheahan said.

“They’re pushing this narrative online that if an ice officer attacks you should use your vehicle to ram against them.”

Sheahan said the rhetoric puts both officers and illegal aliens at risk.

“This is dangerous. This is puts our officers in dangerous. This puts the aliens in dangerous,” she said.

Emanuel also played a video clip of Hope Walz, the daughter of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who delivered a Christmas message referencing ICE enforcement.

“I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to all,” Hope Walz said.

“Today I am holding all of our neighbors that ice has been terrorizing near and dear to my heart and sending them love and light.”

Emanuel reacted to the message and asked Sheahan for her response.

“Merry Christmas to the illegals. What do you make of that?” Emanuel asked.

Sheahan criticized Governor Walz and said such statements contribute to hostility toward federal officers.

“Well, Governor Walz has proven that he does not take care of his people,” Sheahan said.

“He’s allowed his cities to wreak havoc, and he has not had any law and order in his communities.”

Sheahan said ICE will continue enforcing immigration law despite rising threats.

“If you touch a federal law enforcement officers, there will be penalties that come with that, we will continue to go after the worst of the worst,” she said.

“We will continue to enforce the immigration law as it’s written every single day, no matter what.”

WATCH:

NEW: ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan WENT OFF on Fox News, FIRING BACK at the Columbus mayor for refusing to cooperate with Operation Buckeye, a surge targeting criminal illegal aliens in Ohio.

Sheahan: Sanctuary policies & leaders refusing to work with ICE “IS NOT GOING TO… pic.twitter.com/cUYi9Ms3Iq

— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) December 26, 2025