DPS and ICE operations underway in Colony Ridge, Liberty County officials say

LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- In what is likely the largest immigration crackdown in our area since President Donald Trump's second term began, Gov. Greg Abbott says state and federal officers are in Liberty County targeting who he claims are criminals and people who are in this country illegally.

The governor has long railed against Colony Ridge, an area north of the Grand Parkway just east of the Eastex Freeway.

Abbott said Texas troopers and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are conducting an immigration enforcement operation.

An ABC13 crew spotted multiple people being stopped on roads and parking lots by state troopers.

Eyewitness News spoke with people who said they were worried.

"I am scared for my family," Delmis Lopez, who is from Honduras, said. "A lot scared."

Lopez has relatives who she worries could be deported.

"There is a lot of criminal activity. If someone is deported from here, you're going back to certain death," she told ABC13 in Spanish.

For years, this majority Latino area has been part of unfounded theories involving crime and immigration.

"I'm mad and bothered because they are innocent people trying to make a living and provide for their families," Wendy Moreno said in Spanish.

Without providing any evidence, some state lawmakers have called Colony Ridge a hub for cartel operations.

Abbott has confirmed he has been working with the director of ICE for months to target the area.

For more on this story, follow Pooja Lodhia on Facebook,X and Instagram.

Submit a tip or story idea to ABC13

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story you think we should cover? Send it to ABC13 using the form below. If you have a video or photo to send, terms of use apply. If you don't, just hit 'skip upload' and send the details.