INDIANAPOLIS — A five-day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation resulted in 426 arrests across Indiana, authorities say. “Operation Safe Community-Indiana” ran from Aug.30 through Sept.3. ICE says those arrested had criminal histories including sex crimes, assault, d omestic violence, drug trafficking, weapons offenses, burglary, identity theft, and fraud. Authorities say members of gangs including MS-13, 18th Street, and Tren de Aragua were also among those arrested. While much of the operation focused on the Indianapolis metro area, ICE officers conducted enforcement actions throughout the entire state. “Every alien arrested during this operation was in violation of U.S. immigration law, and Indiana is safer today as a result of the hard work of our ICE officers,” ICE Chicago Deputy Field Office Director Raymond Hernandez said in a statement. The department added the operation “is in keeping with President Trump’s promise to make America safe again.” As News 8 previously reported, ICE’s presence had many residents in the community on edge. In a shopping plaza in Lawrence, several businesses closed their doors, including a Haitian market and Honduran restaurant. Lawrence Police Department said it helped ICE agents arrest a person with felony warrants at a hair salon on Pendleton Pike. Lawrence police said they only became involved because the situation became a public safety issue, stressing that they did not plan or initiate the operation. One woman told News 8 her brother was detained by ICE while at work. Sightings of ICE across the city flooded social media.  U.S. Rep. Andre Carson sent a formal inquiry to ICE, demanding more details on the raids. He expressed his concern that some arrests were based on racial profiling. “ICE claims they’re going after the worst of the worst,” he said. “That’s simply not true. Ninety-six percent of ICE arrests in July did not have prior criminal convictions. ICE is making our city less safe.” Mayor Joe Hogsett also weighed in, saying the city received no advance notice from ICE about any operations in Marion County. Operation Safe Community-Indiana follows similar enforcement actions in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Indiana falls under ICE Chicago’s jurisdiction. ...read more read less