Memphis Federal Surge Reports 321 Arrests

A multiagency Memphis Safe Task Force deployed Sept. 29 has made hundreds of arrests and seized scores of illegal firearms as the operation continues. The Justice Department reported 321 arrests so far, including 82 through ICE actions, while interim tallies from Attorney General Pam Bondi and ICE differ—Bondi cited 273 arrests and 73 guns seized and ICE reported 93 criminal illegal aliens arrested and 28 guns seized in 72 hours. Officials say the arrests include gang members, suspects wanted for murder and the rape of a child, a juvenile illegal alien arrested with about two pounds of meth, and a reported Tren de Aragua member, and that several missing children have been recovered. Local partners including Mayor Paul Young and Memphis police are working alongside federal agents, Gov. Bill Lee has pledged National Guard support and state grant funding, and the U.S. Marshals have been named to play a leadership role. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy warned the surge could generate more than 100 new cases a day, risking jail overcrowding and court backlogs even as federal partners tout early results.