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March 5, 2025Philadelphia, PA, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE forced to arrest convicted drug dealer on the street due to noncompliance with immigration detainer

PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Anderson Nunez-Hernandez, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, as he was exiting the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Complex, Feb. 21. Nunez-Hernadez is a criminal alien with a prior conviction for possession with intent to distribute for which he served a 23-month sentence. ICE was forced to apprehend Nunez-Hernandez as he exited the facility, in public, as the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Department refused to honor the immigration detainer ICE placed on him.

"Failing to honor immigration detainers compromises public safety and squanders taxpayer funds. It forces ICE to divert substantial resources to locate and apprehend criminal aliens in unpredictable, high-risk public areas," said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Brian McShane. "Instead of facilitating the safe transfer of criminal aliens from local to federal law enforcement within the secure confines of a facility, the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office releases these individuals onto the streets without coordinating with federal officials. Congress has authorized ICE to issue arrest warrants, and copies of these warrants are provided to the facility when ICE lodges a detainer. In this case, the failure to honor the detainer is even more mind boggling, as an ICE officer was involved in the initial investigation putting this individual behind bars for this drug offense in the first place. We urge officials in Philadelphia to prioritize public safety over politics and collaborate with ICE to protect the public and support our national security objectives."

The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Nunez-Hernandez for entering the United States without admission by an immigration official near McAllen, Texas, Oct. 30, 2021. He was issued a notice to appear before an immigration judge, paroled from ICE custody and scheduled to report for immigration removal proceedings in Philadelphia on Dec. 1, 2021.

Nunez-Hernandez was investigated by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, which includes an ICE officer, after an extensive narcotics investigation ultimately led to his arrest. A large amount of Fentanyl was seized while executing a search warrant.

Nunez-Hernandez was convicted in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County on Feb. 21 for the offense of possession with Intent to distribute a controlled substance.

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

Learn more about ICE Philadelphia’s mission to increase public safety in our Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia communities on X: @EROPhiladelphia

Updated: 06/13/2025
February 25, 2025Pass Christian, MS, United StatesWorksite Enforcement

ICE Gulfport worksite enforcement operation results in multiple arrests

PASS CHRISTIAN, Miss. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, working with U.S. Border Patrol’s Gulfport Station, and the Drug Enforcement Administration Gulfport, conducted a worksite enforcement operation at Gulf Coast Prestress Partners, Ltd. in Pass Christian, Mississippi.

ICE Gulfport served a Notice of Inspection and immigration subpoena to Gulf Coast Prestress. While serving the paperwork and interviewing employees, agents observed a large group of individuals running from the back of the business property. Agents apprehended 18 total fleeing individuals. An immigration inspection on the individuals resulted in the identification of 18 citizens of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. Two individuals had immigration court dates and work authorization and were released. One 16-year-old juvenile Mexican national was identified. ICE Gulfport conducted overnight monitoring of the juvenile and transported the juvenile to Office of Refugee Resettlement custody.

Under federal law, employers are required to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all individuals they hire, and to document that information using the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. ICE uses the I-9 inspection program to promote compliance with the law, part of a comprehensive strategy to address and deter illegal employment. Inspections are one of the most powerful tools the federal government uses to ensure that businesses are complying with U.S. employment laws.

ICE’s worksite enforcement strategy includes leveraging the agency’s other investigative disciplines, since worksite investigations can often involve additional criminal activity, such as alien smuggling, human trafficking, money laundering, document fraud, worker exploitation and/or substandard wage and working conditions.

Updated: 02/26/2025
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February 25, 2026Strasburg, VA, United StatesEnforcement and Removal, Narcotics, Transnational Gangs

ICE Harrisonburg arrests illegal alien with extensive criminal history

The Salvadoran alien is an alleged member of the notorious MS-13 terrorist criminal organization

STRASBURG, Va. — ICE Homeland Security Investigations and its law enforcement partners arrested an illegal alien from El Salvador and alleged MS-13 gang member whose criminal history includes convictions for drug crimes, resisting arrest and felony illegally reentering the United States after deportation. Special agents with HSI Harrisonburg and officers with the Strasburg Police Department apprehended Cristian Medrano-Umanzor, 34, on Jan. 24.

Medrano-Umanzor has been associated with the MS-13 terrorist criminal gang.

“The streets will be safer now that Cristian Medrano-Umanzor has been arrested.  His history of criminal conduct make him subject to removal from the United States,” said HSI Washington, D.C. Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf. “The special agents of HSI Washington, D.C. remain dedicated to the protection of our neighborhoods and the safety of Virginia residents.”

Medrano-Umanzor illegally entered the United States on an unknown date, at an unknown location, and without being inspected, admitted or paroled by a U.S. immigration official. Medrano-Umanzor applied for temporary protected status in January 2005, which was approved in May 2006. However, Medrano-Umanzor’s criminal activities subsequently rendered him ineligible for TPS.

Between June 2010 and July 2016, Medrano-Umanzor was arrested for multiple crimes, including the possession and distribution of narcotics, failure to obey a court order and failure to appear.

On April 26, 2018, a Justice Department immigration judge ordered Medrano-Umanzor removed from the United States to El Salvador. ICE removed him from the United States on May 11, 2018.

The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Medrano-Umanzor Sept. 19, 2019, after he illegally reentered the United States near Rio Grande City, Texas.

On March 10, 2020, the U.S. Attorney’s Office convicted Medrano-Umanzor of illegal reentry of a deported alien. Following his conviction, ICE again removed him from the United States to El Salvador.

Sometime later, Medrano-Umanzor illegally reentered the United States during the Biden administration’s catastrophic open border prior to his encounter with HSI and the Strasburg Police Department.

Members of the public with information regarding criminal offenders can make a report by calling the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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

Updated: 02/25/2026
September 29, 2025Harlingen, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE helps arrest 28 illegal aliens during Operation Pick Off

HARLINGEN, Texas — ICE Harlingen’s Laredo office participated in Operation Pick Off in Laredo Sept. 25 and 26, resulting in the arrests of 28 illegal aliens, including 23 with criminal records who face additional criminal charges for illegal entry or reentry into the United States.

“This is what a whole-of-government approach looks like — federal, state and local agencies working together to increase public safety and make our communities safer, one arrest at a time,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Harlingen Field Office Director Juan Agudelo. “We are grateful for the collaborative efforts we saw today. This operation would not be possible without the support and assistance of the law enforcement partners we work with day in and day out to address complex threats facing our nation and achieve a shared goal.”

ICE worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District, FBI San Antonio, U.S. Border Patrol’s Laredo Sector, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Marshals Service, the ATF, the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, the Texas National Guard, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Laredo Police Department.

Read more on Justice.gov.

Updated: 09/30/2025
August 22, 2025Arlington, TX, United StatesStatement

ICE to hold hiring event in Arlington, Texas; seeks officers and attorneys to support public safety mission

ARLINGTON, Texas — To continue successes in removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from the United States, ICE is focusing recruitment efforts on ICE officers and general attorneys with a major hiring event Aug. 26 and 27, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arlington Esports Stadium.

“The amount of interest in working for ICE is unprecedented. We’ve never seen numbers like this before,” said acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “We’re looking to hire thousands of patriotic Americans who care about justice, accountability and the rule of law, and we know Arlington is a great place to start.”

The hiring fair, which will be held at the Esports Stadium at 1200 Ballpark Way in Arlington, is part of ICE’s overall expansion.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently announced ICE waived age limits for new applicants so even more patriots qualify to join ICE in its mission to arrest murderers, child sex abusers, gang members, rapists and other criminal illegal aliens. All ICE law enforcement recruits are required to go through medical and drug screenings and complete a physical fitness assessment.

Updated: 08/22/2025
June 16, 2025Huntsville, AL, United StatesOrganized Crime

ICE, Homeland Security Task Force, partners investigate cockfighting operation, illegal immigration and other crimes

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Gulf of America Homeland Security Task Force, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, conducted a joint operation targeting an illegal animal fighting exhibition in Blount County, Alabama June 14. The multiagency team executed search warrants related to the prohibition of animal fighting ventures, presence of illegal aliens, and the prohibition of illegal gambling. The Homeland Security Task Force is comprised of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, IRS, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, and supported by the United States Marshals Service, Customs and Border Protection, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and the United States Attorney’s Office.

Results of the operation include:

60 people arrested

55 illegal aliens
Five U.S. citizens

More than $100K in bulk currency seized
Two firearms recovered
Five pending federal indictments for the U.S. citizen criminal organization organizers
Four aliens charged for illegal reentry after deportation

“This illegal cockfighting operation wasn’t just about animal cruelty — it was tied to a broader network of serious crimes, including illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and violent offenses,” said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama Steven N. Schrank. “These criminal enterprises endanger our communities, and HSI remains steadfast in its mission to disrupt and dismantle them. This operation underscores our commitment to public safety and the strength of our law enforcement partnerships.”

This case will be prosecuted in the Northern District of Alabama.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Updated: 06/16/2025
January 31, 2025Houston, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Houston apprehends 2 previously removed criminal aliens convicted of child sex offenses, other violent crimes

HOUSTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended two previously removed criminal aliens Jan. 29 who have been convicted of child sex offenses and other violent criminal offenses.

David Lopez Javier, a 45-year-old twice deported criminal alien from Honduras, and Efrain Gomez Cac, a 30-year-old previously removed criminal alien from Guatemala, were arrested in Conroe and Cleveland, Texas, respectively.

Lopez has illegally entered the U.S. at least three times and was previously removed from the country Nov. 14, 2013, and April 28, 2016. He has been convicted of committing numerous criminal offenses while in the country illegally, including lewd and lascivious battery on a child, cocaine trafficking, cocaine possession, illegal reentry, and twice for larceny.

Gomez was previously removed from the U.S. by ICE on Sept. 7, 2018, and has prior criminal convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing bodily harm and driving while intoxicated.

“Criminal aliens who repeatedly violate our nation’s immigration laws only to commit sex offenses against innocent minors, traffic deadly narcotics in our local communities, or commit violent offenses against law-abiding residents are quickly finding out that the law enforcement community is united and more determined than ever in our resolve to bolster public safety, national security, and border security here in Southeast Texas,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “By working together with our partners like HSI, we are able to more effectively and efficiently leverage the unique law enforcement tools and resources that each of us brings to the table and ensure that we’re doing everything we can to uphold the rule of law and protect our fellow Texans from harm.”

“HSI Houston is proud to work alongside ERO Houston and our other partner agencies in the area to aggressively pursue criminal aliens and other transnational criminal and immigration-related threats here in Houston and along the Texas Gulf Coast,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “Our special agents live and raise families in this community and are committed to do whatever it takes to remove criminal aliens, child predators, transnational gang members, and other threats to public safety from the local community.”

Updated: 01/31/2025
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April 29, 2025Houston, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Houston arrests criminal alien arsonist who has illegally entered US 3 times

HOUSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Houston arrested David Gonzalez-Gallegos, a 40-year-old criminal alien from Mexico, April 25, following his release from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Huntsville Unit state correctional facility. Gonzalez has illegally entered the U.S. at least three times and been convicted of arson, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and driving under the influence.

“For far too long, dangerous criminal aliens like Mr. Gonzalez have been permitted to trample on our nation’s immigration laws and then go on to prey on innocent law-abiding Americans,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operation Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “Thanks to the current administration’s focus on restoring integrity to our immigration system and the unbelievable support that we’ve received from our law enforcement partners, we have been able to quickly identify and remove violent illegal aliens like him from the country and enhance public safety in our local communities.”

Gonzalez illegally entered the U.S. on an unknown date and at an unknown location. He was encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol May 29, 2006, near El Paso, Texas, and returned to Mexico that same day. Gonzalez illegally reentered the U.S. on an unknown date and at an unknown location and wasn’t encountered again by U.S. immigration officials until Nov. 17, 2013, when he was arrested for arson with intent to damage a habitation or place of worship. Following Gonzalez’ conviction and sentence for arson, he was transferred into ICE custody and removed to Mexico July 20, 2015.

Gonzalez illegally entered the U.S. for a third time on an unknown date and at an unknown location and was convicted of DUI in Mississippi June 15, 2021. He was encountered by ICE officers April 29, 2022, at the Dallas County Jail following his arrest for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. On May 25, 2023, he was convicted of aggravated assault and sentenced to 3 years in prison at the Huntsville Unit. TDCJ transferred Gonzalez into ICE custody April 25, and he was taken to the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, Texas, where he remains pending his removal from the U.S.

For more news and information on ICE’s efforts to enforce our nation’s immigration laws in Texas follow us on X at @EROHouston.

Updated: 06/13/2025
October 30, 2025Houston, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Houston arrests illegal alien and suspected MS-13 gang member stuck on local business sign after attempting to flee

HOUSTON — On Oct. 27, ICE arrested Marlon Odir Gomez Hernandez, a 29-year-old illegal alien and suspected MS-13 gang member from El Salvador, after he became stuck on the sign of a Houston-area business while attempting to flee from officers.

“Once again, an illegal alien put the local community in danger by recklessly fleeing from ICE officers who were simply enforcing immigration laws that have been on the books for decades,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “Unfortunately, this has become a daily occurrence for our officers here in Houston thanks to the violent rhetoric being spewed by elected officials encouraging illegal aliens to resist enforcement of the same laws they established.”

Gomez illegally entered the U.S. on an unknown date after he was arrested in El Salvador with six other suspected MS-13 gang members on Jan. 26, 2022, for aggravated extortion. He was encountered during a targeted enforcement operation in the Houston area and immediately began to flee. He ran inside the washateria, climbed through the ceiling panels to get on the roof of the business, and then climbed down to the sign, where he became stuck.

ICE officers were eventually able to get him down safely and he was taken to the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, where he remains pending disposition of his immigration proceedings.

Updated: 10/30/2025
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March 14, 2025Houston, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Houston deports 6-time removed criminal alien to Mexico with 6 convictions for DWI, 6 for theft

HOUSTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported a six-time removed criminal alien to Mexico March 13 who has been convicted six times of driving while intoxicated and six times for theft while she was illegally in the U.S.

ICE transported Leticia Caballero Guadarrama, a 53-year-old criminal alien from Mexico, from the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, Texas, to the Laredo Port of Entry where she was released into Mexico.

Caballero has illegally entered the U.S. at least six times and was voluntarily returned to Mexico July 5, 2002; and deported to Mexico on May 27, 2003; Feb. 14, 2009; Dec. 30, 2009; Sept. 30, 2010; and March 13, 2025.

Caballero has been convicted of 14 criminal offenses while in the U.S. illegally including six convictions for DWI (April 2, 2004; Feb. 10, 2006; Jan. 13, 2009; Jan. 21, 2009; May 11, 2011; and June 12, 2024); six convictions for theft or larceny (Sept. 2, 2003; Jan. 20, 2006; Jan. 9, 2009; Dec. 20, 2009; Sept. 10, 2010; and Sept. 24, 2021); and twice for refusing to provide identification to law enforcement (Jan. 20, 2006, and June 2, 2006).

“I have served in law enforcement for more than 30 years and few things surprise me, but the level of disrespect that this criminal alien has shown for our system of laws and for the brave men and women who risk their lives every day to uphold those laws is shocking,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “After repeatedly entering the country illegally and getting behind the wheel intoxicated, she has victimized hard-working Texans over and over again by stealing their money and property and then attempted to avoid accountability by refusing to provide law enforcement with identification after she was caught. By carelessly flaunting our system of laws, her actions endangered everyone in the community and have wasted significant taxpayer-funded government resources.”

For more news and information on ICE’s efforts to enforce our nation’s immigration laws in Southeast Texas follow us on X at @EROHouston.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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March 14, 2025Houston, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Houston deports 8-time removed criminal alien convicted of kidnapping to Mexico

HOUSTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported Baltazar Pantoja Calderon, a 43-year-old eight-time removed criminal alien convicted of kidnapping and several other criminal offenses in the U.S., to his home country of Mexico March 13.

Pantoja has illegally entered the U.S. at least eight times. Each time he was caught by U.S. immigration officials and voluntarily departed to Mexico May 27, 1999; and was deported on July 1, 2008; Sept. 1, 2010; Oct. 29, 2014; March 18, 2015; May 3, 2017; and Feb. 2, 2018.

Pantoja has also been convicted of numerous criminal offenses while in the U.S. illegally including kidnapping May 12, 2010; driving while intoxicated May 29, 2008; illegal entry July 3, 2018; and resisting arrest March 10, 2025.

“The complete lack of respect for our nation’s system of laws that this criminal alien has displayed over the past quarter of a century has in recent years, unfortunately, become more commonplace,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “The law enforcement community in South Texas is united in our determination to restore sovereignty over our southern border and has banded together to remove these dangerous criminal aliens from our country to restore law and order in our communities.”

For more news and information on ICE’s efforts to enforce our nation’s immigration laws in Texas follow us on X at @EROHouston.

Updated: 06/13/2025