stanforddams/biglocal huggingface dataset:
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March 11, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Buffalo removes convicted drug trafficker to Canada

Frater, 32, removed to Canada by ICE Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement completed the removal of Christopher Anthony Frater, a 32-year-old citizen of Canada, to his home country March 7 as part of the Canadian Treaty Transfer program. Frater will serve the remainder of his federal sentence in Canada for illicit trafficking of a controlled substance.

Frater entered the U.S. on or about July 11, 2022, and violated the terms of his admission. The U.S. District Court in Nebraska convicted Frater Sept. 14, 2023, of possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a substance or mixture containing a detectable amount of cocaine and sentenced him to 120 months in prison. ICE located Frater in U.S. Bureau of Prisons custody at the Federal Correctional Institution in Ray Brook, New York and, based on his alien status and federal conviction, concluded he was amenable to removal.

ICE removed Frater via the Ogdensburg, New York – Prescott, Ontario port of entry and turned him over to Canadian authorities.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing ICE’s online tip form.

Learn more about ERO Buffalo’s mission to preserve public safety on X at @EROBuffalo.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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June 30, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Buffalo removes illegal alien, child sex predator to Guatemala

BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed illegally present Guatemalan national Alvaro De Jesus Martinez-Juarez from the United States to Guatemala June 28. Martinez is a felon and predator convicted of acting in a course of sexual conduct against a child.

“ICE will not tolerate criminal aliens preying on innocent children in our communities,” said ICE Buffalo Enforcement and Removal Operations Deputy Field Office Director Joseph Freden. “We will prioritize the pursuit of these vile predators and seek their prompt removal from the United States.”

Martinez, 55, admitted to illegally entering the United States in 1990 by crossing the border from Mexico into California without being admitted or paroled by a U.S. immigration official. On March 17, 2015, the Nassau County Police Department arrested him for two counts of first-degree course of sexual conduct against child where the victim is less than 13 years old and the perpetrator is over 18. The Nassau County Court convicted Martinez of one count of the aforementioned charge Sept. 18, 2017, and sentenced him to 12 years in prison.

An immigration judge ordered him removed from the U.S. April 9, 2019.

ICE Buffalo arrested Martinez June 20 upon his release from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s custody in Wallkill and detained him at the Buffalo Federal Detention facility to await his removal to Guatemala.

Learn more about ERO Buffalo’s mission to preserve public safety on X at @EROBuffalo.

Updated: 06/30/2025
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May 20, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Buffalo removes previously deported child sex predator to home country

Multiple felon Juan Velasquez removed by ICE Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed illegally present Salvadoran national Juan Velasquez from the United States to El Salvador May 15. Velasquez has been convicted of multiple felonies in New York, including rape and sexual abuse of a minor.

Velasquez, 45, illegally entered the United States on an unknown date and at an unknown location without being admitted or paroled by an immigration official. He was convicted of statutory rape on April 14, 2004. An immigration judge ordered the illegal alien removed from the U.S. July 20, 2004, and he was subsequently removed to El Salvador Aug. 13 that same year.

Velasquez illegally reentered the U.S at a later date. On Sept. 21, 2015, the Suffolk County Court on Long Island, New York, convicted him of two counts of first-degree sexual abuse; second-degree aggravated sexual abuse; third-degree rape; act in a manner to injure a child less than 17; and false impersonation. The court sentenced him to nine years in prison. Velasquez was further convicted for violating sex offender registry requirements and sentenced to an additional year of incarceration. He was again arrested for the crime of sex assault: carnal abuse, which resulted in a conviction on July 11, 2023.

ICE Buffalo arrested Velasquez April 18, upon his release from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s custody, and reinstated his prior order of removal. He was detained at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, New York, until his removal from the U.S.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by completing ICE’s online tip form.

Learn more about ERO Buffalo’s mission to preserve public safety in New York on X at @EROBuffalo.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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July 21, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Buffalo removes several violent criminal aliens from US

BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Buffalo officers are on the streets every day, bravely executing the agency’s mission to locate, arrest and remove egregious criminal aliens from the United States in line with the president’s policy of “worst first.”

“I’m extraordinarily proud of our officers who, despite a record increase in assaults against them, continue to selflessly dedicate themselves to protecting public safety and national security,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Buffalo acting Deputy Field Office Director James T. Bausch. “These violent criminals can no longer pose a threat to anyone in our country.”

Between July 11 and July 17, ICE Buffalo removed the following criminal aliens with felony convictions and pending charges:

Jesus Flores-Flores, a 49-year-old citizen of Mexico convicted of manslaughter, assault and criminal mischief.
Gerber Rosil-Galdamez, a 41-year-old citizen of Guatemala convicted of rape and sexual abuse.
Ivan Fidencio Juarez-Rivera, a 42-year-old citizen of Mexico with convictions for domestic violence, assault, burglary, driving while intoxicated and illegal reentry.
Cristian Josue Pena-Contreras, a 21-year-old citizen of Honduras whose criminal history includes 13 convictions for receiving stolen property, larceny and larceny of a motor vehicle.
Jostin Javier Cabrera-Ruiz, an 18-year-old citizen of Ecuador whose criminal history includes pending charges for robbery, criminal mischief, criminal possession stolen property, possession of credit card, grand larceny, menacing, criminal possession of weapon and petit larceny.
Marlon Ganesh Beerbhajan, a 48-year-old citizen of Guyana pending charges for unlawful imprisonment and forcible touching.

Learn more about ERO Buffalo’s mission to preserve public safety on X at @EROBuffalo.

Updated: 07/21/2025
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September 25, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Buffalo targets illegal aliens during a weeklong operation

Syracuse is now safer with criminal illegal aliens off the street

From left: Kleber Palacios-Condo, Janson Daniel Chourio-Camejo, Ivis Orlando Maldonado-Cabrera, Jaime Lojano-Villa

BUFFALO, NY – ICE Buffalo arrested 35 criminal aliens and immigration offenders during a weeklong operation Sept 14 – 19 focused on enhancing public safety in Central New York.

The operation is part of the Trump administration’s focus on restoring integrity to the nation’s immigration system and bolstering public safety in our local communities around the country by targeting the “worst of the worst” criminal aliens and others who violate federal immigration laws.

“Despite a historic increase in assaults against ICE law enforcement by violent lunatics, our brave officers remain dedicated to fulfilling their Congressionally mandated mission to enhance public safety by removing criminal illegal aliens from our communities in Western, Central and Upstate New York,” said ICE Buffalo Enforcement and Removal Operations acting Field Office Director Joseph Freden. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are once again a nation of laws.”

Among the criminal aliens arrested were:

Kleber Palacios-Condo, a 27-year-old citizen of Ecuador whose criminal history includes weapons possession, menacing with weapons and DUI
Janson Daniel Chourio-Camejo, a 27-year-old citizen of Venezuela whose criminal history includes burglary, robbery, criminal mischief and disabling equipment to prevent an emergency call
Ivis Orlando Maldonado-Cabrera, a previously removed 44-year-old citizen of Honduras whose criminal history includes robbery and interfering with duties of a public servant
Jaime Lojano-Villa a 33-year-old citizen of Ecuador with a final order of removal and whose criminal history includes a DUI

ICE is focused on public safety and national security threats first and foremost. However, any individual illegally present in the United States who is encountered during an immigration enforcement operation may be taken into custody and processed for removal as stated by law. It comes down to one question: Is this person violating our nation’s immigration laws? If the answer is yes, we’re going to remove them.

Learn more about ERO Buffalo’s mission to preserve public safety on X, @EROBuffalo.

Updated: 09/25/2025
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June 2, 2025Houston, TX, United StatesNarcotics

ICE, CBP seize 50,000 kilograms of meth precursor chemicals destined for Sinaloa Cartel

HOUSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 50,000 kilograms of di-cumyl peroxide, a chemical precursor used by drug traffickers to produce methamphetamines and other illicit narcotics, May 30 at the Port of Long Beach, California.

The shipment, which originated in China and was destined for the Sinaloa Drug Cartel in Mexico, was identified as a result of an initiative launched by ICE in 2019 that leverages the agency’s extensive expertise in illicit cross-border trade and sophisticated analytical tools and techniques to identify suspicious shipments of chemical precursors from China, India and other source countries that are destined for the drug cartels in Mexico.

“For far too long, the Mexican drug cartels have raked in billions of dollars at the expense of our local communities leaving nothing but addiction, death and despair in their wake,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “This initiative provides HSI with a game-changing method to stay one step ahead of the cartels by disrupting the flow of chemicals that they depend on to produce illicit narcotics.”

Since the initiative first launched, it has led to the interdiction of more than 1,700,000 kilograms of chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamines and fentanyl. Just this past March, it led to the seizure of nearly 44,000 kilograms of glacial acetic acid at the Port of Houston, which was also destined for the Sinaloa Cartel. In addition to preventing the chemicals from reaching the cartels, the initiative has also helped expose the location of clandestine drug labs in Mexico. In conjunction with Mexican authorities, 13 drug labs operated by the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel have been located and eliminated since January 2025 as a result of the initiative.

For more news and information on ICE’s efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking in Texas follow us on X at @HSIHouston.

Updated: 06/18/2025
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February 19, 2026Clarksburg, WV, United StatesLaw Enforcement, National Security

ICE Charleston, partners arrest West Virginia man for making terroristic threats

The Clarksburg resident allegedly threatened to shoot and kill ICE agents in West Virginia

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — ICE Charleston and its law enforcement partners from the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Secret Service and the West Virginia State Police arrested Cody Smith, a U.S. citizen who threatened to kill ICE Officers in West Virginia.

"The safety and security of law enforcement personnel is our highest priority at Homeland Security Investigations," said HSI Washington, D.C. acting Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf. "HSI is committed to actively pursuing anyone who threatens the brave agents and officers who protect our communities. We will work tirelessly to investigate these threats and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

According to the HSI investigation, on Jan. 16, Smith called the ICE Tip Line and threatened to kill any ICE agents he saw in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Smith continued a vulgarity-laden tirade that referenced ICE and President Trump.

The U.S. Secret Service identified Smith’s Instagram page, where a video was posted of Smith on a phone call threatening to kill ICE agents.

On Jan. 22, HSI and its law enforcement partners executed a federal search warrant on Smith’s residence in Clarksburg, resulting in his arrest and the seizure of his cellphone.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity to HSI by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about HSI Washington, D.C.’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X at @HSI_DC.

Updated: 02/19/2026
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November 20, 2025Chicago, IL, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Chicago arrests criminal alien convicted of abducting and enticing a child

Mexican national illegally entered United States 5 times

WASHINGTON — ICE arrested in Chicago a criminal illegal alien from Mexico Nov. 16 who’s been convicted of abducting and enticing a child under the age of 17 and retail theft. Leonardo Ignot-Osto, 40, has illegally entered the U.S. at least five times, dating back to 2005.

“This is who ICE is arresting in Chicago, a criminal alien that repeatedly entered the U.S. illegally and went to commit heinous crimes against a child,” said ICE Assistant Director for Public Affairs Emily Covington. “This man is clearly a public safety threat, and if the sanctuary city of Chicago would have turned him over to us after his first conviction in 2010, he wouldn’t have been here to victimize an innocent child.”

U.S. Border Patrol encountered Ignot-Osto four times in 2005, and each time, he voluntarily returned to Mexico. He snuck back in the country for at least the fifth time prior to his first criminal conviction in the U.S.

On April 15, 2025, the state of Illinois charged him with abduction, kidnapping a child, and two counts of enticement of a child for indecent purposes. On Sept. 18, he was found guilty of child abduction/luring a child under 17 and sentenced to a year in prison.

ICE encountered Ignot-Osto while he was in custody at the Scott County Jail and arrested him Nov. 16. He’s currently in ICE custody, where he’ll remain pending removal proceedings.

You can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s public safety mission on X at @ICEgov.

Updated: 11/20/2025
May 5, 2026Chicago, IL, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Chicago arrests violent illegal alien sex offender after Illinois fails to honor detainer, releases him into community

Erik Giovanni-Quiroa was convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child

CHICAGO — ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Chicago officers arrested Erik Giovanni-Quiroa, 41, a dangerous criminal illegal alien and child sex abuser April 22 after the Illinois Department of Corrections failed to honor an ICE immigration detainer and released him into the community.

Giovanni-Quiroa, of Guatemala, was convicted of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and aggravated battery with a firearm. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison.

“The safety of our community was put at risk due to the failure to honor an immigration detainer,” said ICE Chicago acting Field Office Director Tammy Marich. “Thankfully, no one was hurt, but none of this should have happened. Detainers allow us to safely take custody of criminal illegal aliens with no danger or threat to the public.”

ICE Chicago officers finished the job Illinois refused to do. Officers were conducting targeted enforcement operations April 22 when they encountered Giovanni-Quiroa and attempted to perform a vehicle stop. Giovanni-Quiroa once again endangered the public by refusing to stop when given lawful commands, attempting to flee in his vehicle. Officers were eventually able to safely arrest him, and he remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings and will receive full due process.

When sanctuary politicians ignore ICE detainers, they are protecting criminal illegal aliens at the expense of American citizens. These are criminals with prior convictions for rape, murder, drug trafficking and other dangerous crimes, and instead of holding them for ICE, sanctuary politicians release them back into our communities.

In non-sanctuary jurisdictions, law enforcement officials honor ICE detainers and transfer criminal illegal aliens to ICE custody for detention and deportation.

You can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s public safety mission on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and Truth Social.

Updated: 05/12/2026
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May 20, 2025Chicago, IL, United StatesTransnational Gangs

ICE Chicago captures shooters in December 2024 mass shooting tied to Tren de Aragua gang

1st Photo: Edward Martinez Cermeno, a suspected shooter linked to a Dec. 2024 mass shooting in Chicago, arrested by HSI Chicago and U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit on Jan. 26, 2025. | 2nd Photo: Ricardo Granadillo Padilla, suspected shooter in the Dec. 2024 Chicago mass shooting, arrested in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Feb. 8, 2025, by HSI Chicago, HSI Raleigh, ERO Raleigh, U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit, U.S. Marshals Service and CBP AMO. | 3rd Photo: Other suspected TdA members encountered during Padilla’s arrest in Raleigh. | 4th Photo: Weapons, ammo, and narcotics recovered in Chicago.

CHICAGO — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the arrests of the shooters involved in the Dec. 2, 2024, mass shooting at a house party in Chicago predominantly attended by Venezuelan nationals. This incident resulted in multiple injuries and the loss of three lives. Authorities believe the shooting was perpetrated by members of the Tren de Aragua gang.

One of the suspected shooters, Venezuelan national Ricardo Granadillo Padilla, 25, was arrested on Feb. 8 by ICE Homeland Security Investigations Chicago and Raleigh, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Raleigh, U.S Border Patrol Tactical Unit, the U.S. Marshals Service, and CBP Air and Marine Operations in Raleigh, North Carolina. Granadillo Padilla is currently in federal custody after being sentenced in March 2025 for illegally entering the United States in 2022 near El Paso, Texas. Multiple firearms, high-capacity magazines, narcotics, and fraudulent documents were seized in January 2025 from Granadillo Padilla’s residence in Chicago. During his arrest in Raleigh, North Carolina, a pistol, ammunition, and other evidentiary items were also seized.

Another suspected shooter, Venezuelan national Edward Martinez Cermeno, 24, was arrested on Jan. 26 by ICE HSI Chicago and the CBP Office of Border Patrol in Schaumburg, Illinois. Martinez Cermeno was initially released by a federal magistrate judge in Illinois following a federal detention hearing but was then re-arrested by ICE HSI Chicago on administrative immigration charges for being illegally present in the United States. He is currently in federal custody facing criminal charges for illegally entering the United States in 2023 near Eagle Pass, Texas.

Over the past weeks, sixteen additional TdA members and associates of the shooters in the Chicago area and Raleigh, North Carolina were arrested by ICE HSI Chicago on immigration charges.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety on X at @HSIChicago.

Updated: 08/21/2025
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October 22, 2025Chicago, IL, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Chicago deports previously removed Guatemalan criminal alien wanted for reckless harm charges in home country

CHICAGO — As part of operation “Midway Blitz,” ICE deported Hugo Rene Figueroa-Choc, 49, on Oct. 15. Figueroa-Choc is an illegal alien from Guatemala wanted in his home country for reckless harm causing bodily injury. He was removed on an ICE Air Operations charter flight and handed over to Guatemalan law enforcement authorities.

“This removal highlights ICE’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding our communities and ensuring that individuals who violate U.S. immigration laws and endanger public safety are held accountable,” said ERO Chicago Field Office Director Sam Olson. “Figueroa-Choc’s repeated criminal actions posed a serious threat, and ICE remains focused on removing individuals who jeopardize the safety and security of our nation.”

Figueroa-Choc was first arrested by U.S. Border Patrol near Eagle Pass, Texas, on April 5, 2006, and processed for expedited removal. He was deported on April 22, 2011, via charter flight through San Antonio, Texas. Despite his removal, he reentered the United States illegally at an unknown date.

On Oct. 7, ICE Chicago, working with the U.S. Marshals Service’s Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, arrested Figueroa-Choc during a targeted operation.

ICE remains committed to enforcing immigration laws and prioritizing the removal of individuals who pose a threat to public safety.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X at @EROChicago.

Updated: 10/22/2025
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March 21, 2025Chicago, IL, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Chicago removes criminal alien wanted for rape in Guatemala

CHICAGO – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Cecilio Lopez Vasquez, 40, March 17 to his home country of Guatemala where he is wanted for rape.

Lopez illegally entered the United States at an unknown date and location, and he was arrested by ICE Sept. 14, 2006. ICE removed Lopez to Guatemala as ordered by an immigration judge Nov. 30, 2006. Lopez again illegally entered the U.S. at an unknown date and location, arrested Dec. 13, 2024 by Missouri Highway Patrol for DUI. ICE Chicago arrested Lopez Feb. 13 outside of the St. Clair County Courthouse in Osceola, Missouri. While detained by ICE, it was determined that Lopez was wanted for rape in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Lopez was turned over to Guatemalan authorities March 17 in close coordination with the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement taskforce located in Guatemala.

“This removal shows that our officers are critical in providing justice for victims on an international scale,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Chicago Field Office Director Sam Olson. “Criminal aliens will not be allowed to use our nation as a means to evade the law in their home country.”

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X at @EROChicago.

Updated: 06/13/2025