by Ida DomingoThu, June 12, 2025 at 6:13 AMUpdated Thu, June 12, 2025 at 1:34 PMU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested 10 individuals at the Sterling, Virginia, immigration court on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (ICE Washington)STERLING, Va. (7News) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested 10 individuals at the Sterling immigration court on Wednesday during an enforcement operation, according to authorities.According to a statement from an ICE spokesperson, the arrests were part of the agency’s mission to “identify and remove criminal aliens and others who have violated our nation’s immigration laws.”SEE ALSO | More than 80 rioters arrested in NYC as anti-ICE protests escalate nationwideThe arrests happened at the Executive Office for Immigration Review in Sterling and involved people from several countries, including Haiti, Venezuela, El Salvador and Peru. ICE said all were in violation of U.S. immigration law, and they are "currently looking into their criminality."The individuals arrested include:A 41-year-old Haitian citizenA 33-year-old Haitian citizenA 24-year-old Salvadoran citizenAn 18-year-old Venezuelan citizenA 45-year-old Venezuelan citizenA 29-year-old Venezuelan citizenA 28-year-old Venezuelan citizenTwo 22-year-old Venezuelan citizensA 35-year-old Peruvian citizen"All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States, regardless of nationality," the spokesperson said.A progressive advocacy group called “New Virginia Majority” put out a press release condemning not just the ICE arrests, but also the Loudoun County Sheriff for his cooperation with ICE.The group says it hurts the community’s willingness to work with law enforcement, and added in a statement by New Virginia Majority campaign director Sofia Saiyed:"Loudoun residents are witnessing the use of local and federal law enforcement to terrorize our communities rather than keep us safe. These practices undermine trust in government institutions at all levels and make people afraid to leave their homes.”Thursday the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office posted a “Fact vs. Fiction” webpage about its relationship with federal immigration authorities, saying that “LCSO’s commitment to your safety has been mischaracterized by a small number of political activists with a record of opposing public safety.”The Sheriff’s Office says it does not target people based on their immigration status or whether they are Latino, and that an agreement it signed with ICE that is not yet in force will only apply to people already in jail on other charges. LCSO says the agreement will give ICE extra time to pick up “criminal aliens” from the jail.