WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a series of arrests last week targeting individuals illegally present in the United States who have been convicted of serious violent crimes. The agency said the operations, conducted Thursday and Friday, underscore its ongoing commitment to removing offenders who pose significant threats to public safety.
According to ICE, those arrested include individuals convicted of crimes such as rape, child sexual abuse, aggravated assault with deadly weapons, and even murder. Officials emphasized that the enforcement actions are focused on apprehending what they describe as “the worst of the worst” criminal offenders.
“Rapists. Child molesters. Violent thugs. These are the criminal illegal aliens ICE is arresting and removing from our country,” a senior Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official said. “We are calling on all patriotic Americans who want to serve their country to apply to join ICE today to help remove the worst of the worst — including murderers, rapists, terrorists, pedophiles, and gang members — from our communities.”
Arrests Include Convictions for Violent and Sexual Crimes
ICE released details on several of the individuals apprehended during the two-day operation:
- David Pineda-Medrano — from Guatemala; convicted of attempted first-degree child sexual abuse, sexual abuse of a minor, and assault causing bodily injury.
- Junior Alexi Medina-Fuentes — from Honduras; convicted of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon in Harris County, Texas.
- Ja Mi — from Thailand; convicted of second-degree forcible rape in Orange County, North Carolina.
- Jorge Andres Garcia-Celis — from Mexico; convicted of molestation of a minor in San Luis Obispo, California.
- Leonardo Varela-Lopez — from Mexico; convicted of assault and three counts of driving under the influence in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Manuel Ivan Castillo-Estrada — from Mexico; convicted of sexual assault of a child in Hidalgo County, Texas.
- Usuman Muhamed — from Vietnam; convicted of murder in Santa Ana, California, and identified as a Fullerton Boys street gang member.
- Bala Acharya — from Bhutan; convicted of aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child passenger under 16 in Rochester, New York.
- Misael Saucedo-Ramirez — from Mexico; convicted of aggravated assault in Cook County, Illinois.
- Barbaro Reyes-Gomez — from Cuba; convicted of alien smuggling in Eagle Pass, Texas.
ICE Emphasizes Public Safety Mission
ICE officials stressed that the agency’s operations remain focused on targeting individuals with serious criminal records who present the highest risk to community safety.
The arrests highlight the agency’s broader enforcement strategy of locating, detaining, and removing noncitizens convicted of violent crimes while continuing to collaborate with state and local law enforcement partners.
Officials also used the announcement to encourage individuals interested in public safety and border security careers to consider joining ICE, noting that the agency’s mission relies on maintaining a capable and committed workforce.
These latest actions reflect the Department of Homeland Security’s priorities under the Trump administration, which continues to direct federal resources toward addressing criminal activity by individuals unlawfully present in the United States.
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