Screenshot from surveillance video capturing an apparent ICE raid at a residence in Estate Dorothea, St. Thomas, on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Photo: VI Consortium

The operation is part of the Trump administration’s expanded efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, with ICE ramping up enforcement actions across multiple states and U.S. territories.

Video timestamped just after 9:30 a.m. from a neighboring building's surveillance cameras captured several unmarked SUVs pulling up on a quiet street. Several individuals, some wearing vests marked “POLICE” and some carrying what appear to be firearms, can be seen exiting the vehicles and walking to the front of the target house.

From a different angle of the target home, other surveillance video shows at least two people jumping off the porch at the side of the building, presumably in an attempt to evade detention. Shouts of “Hey, stop moving!” can be heard, as law enforcement officials notice the fleeing men.

The three and a half minute video, posted by public broadcaster WTJX, then shows a few of the officials gingerly making their way down the rocky slope after those that had run from the house, shouting “Police!” “Stop!” as they went. One particularly large man, wearing a vest marked “HSI”, can be seen turning back halfway down the slope, choosing instead to point out a target's location to his colleagues who had circled around to the bottom via a different route.

The surveillance video ends with footage, timestamped just after 10:00 a.m., of several men being walked in handcuffs and placed inside one of the parked SUV's.

Earlier this year, amidst reports of raids, Immigration, Customs and Enforcement officials confirmed ICE has confirmed that nationwide raids are underway — including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, targeting individuals with final removal orders, those with criminal backgrounds, and undocumented individuals suspected of violating immigration laws. ICE Acting Director Patrick J. Lechleitner stated, “We are committed to enforcing U.S. immigration laws fairly and firmly. Those who violate our immigration system must be held accountable.”

President Donald Trump has defended the intensified operations, describing them as necessary to uphold national security and economic stability. During a recent speech, he reiterated his administration’s commitment to immigration enforcement, saying, “We are restoring law and order and ensuring that only those who come here legally can remain. These operations are about protecting American jobs and keeping our communities safe.”

he Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has supported the initiative, with Secretary Brooke Rollinsemphasizing that the enforcement actions are being conducted in accordance with federal law. She noted that ICE agents have been directed to prioritize individuals with criminal histories but will not ignore other immigration violations.