TRENTON, NJ – On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a statement highlighting a significant law enforcement operation in New Jersey, where U.S. authorities arrested a group of migrants accused of operating a sex trafficking ring responsible for exploiting women and children.
The announcement, made during a press briefing, underscored the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and illegal immigration.
According to Leavitt, the arrests were carried out as part of a coordinated effort by federal and state agencies targeting criminal networks operating within the United States.
“Yesterday, U.S. authorities in New Jersey apprehended a group of migrant sex traffickers who were preying on vulnerable women and children,” Leavitt stated. “These individuals, who entered our country illegally, have been responsible for horrific crimes that tear apart families and communities. This administration is committed to rooting out such predators and ensuring justice is served.”
While specific details about the operation, including the number of arrests and the identities of those detained, were not fully disclosed during the briefing, Leavitt emphasized that the traffickers had exploited their victims across multiple locations in New Jersey.
She noted that the investigation uncovered evidence of a sophisticated network that preyed on undocumented immigrants and local residents alike, subjecting them to coercion and abuse.
Leavitt tied the arrests to broader administration priorities, stating, “President Trump has made it clear: we will not tolerate criminals who cross our borders to harm Americans or exploit the defenseless. These arrests send a strong message that law enforcement is watching, and we will continue to dismantle these operations wherever they exist.” She also praised the efforts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local New Jersey police departments for their role in the operation.
The statement comes amid heightened focus on border security and immigration enforcement under the current administration. Leavitt’s remarks align with recent reports of increased ICE activity targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records, though she did not specify whether the arrested traffickers were part of a larger deportation sweep.
New Jersey officials have yet to release an official statement corroborating the White House’s announcement, but sources within the state’s law enforcement community indicated that the operation had been in development for weeks, relying on intelligence gathered from survivors and undercover agents. The trafficking ring allegedly lured victims with false promises of employment or safety, only to force them into prostitution and other forms of exploitation.