stanforddams/biglocal huggingface dataset:
November 6, 2025Houston, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

Twice deported child predator arrested by ICE after violently assaulting officer with metal cup during attempt to flee

HOUSTON — ICE arrested Walter Leonel Perez Rodriguez, a 33-year-old twice deported criminal alien and child predator from El Salvador, Nov. 4 in Houston. During the encounter, Rodriguez is alleged to have resisted arrest and physically assaulted an ICE officer with a metal coffee cup causing serious burns and a deep gash to his face that required 13 stitches.

“This young officer’s life has forever been altered as a result of the continued hyper-politicization of routine law enforcement activities and spread of misinformation by the media, NGOs and other groups opposed to immigration enforcement in this country,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “Rather than take their issues up with Congress, they shift their rage at the brave men and women of ICE who are putting their lives on the line every day to defend our communities from foreign terrorists, gang members, and other violent criminal aliens who are in the country illegally. By focusing on our officers and spreading false propaganda about how we accomplish our mission, they are emboldening dangerous illegal aliens like this child predator to physically resist arrest. This insanity has to stop before anyone else gets hurt.”

Rodriguez has illegally entered the U.S. at least three times and was ordered removed by an immigration judge and deported June 28, 2013, and Feb. 24, 2020. While in the U.S., he has been convicted of sexually assaulting a child in January 2013, DWI in September 2014, and illegal reentry in January 2020. Following this most recent arrest, he was referred for prosecution for illegal reentry and assaulting a federal officer.

Members of the public who have information about criminal aliens, transnational gang members or foreign fugitives who they suspect are in the U.S. illegally are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE Tip Line at 1 (866) 347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.

Updated: 11/06/2025
February 24, 2025Miami, FL, United StatesDetainee Death Notifications

Ukrainian national in ICE custody passes away at Miami-area hospital

MIAMI — Maksym Chernyak, a 44-year-old citizen of Ukraine in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was pronounced deceased by medical professionals at HCA Kendall Hospital in Miami, Florida, Feb. 20 at 2:25 p.m. A hospital physician reported the preliminary cause of death as bleeding from the brain.

Chernyak had been hospitalized since being taken to the hospital by Miami Dade Fire Rescue due to vomiting and seizure activity Feb.18.

Chernyak entered the United States on Aug. 24, 2024, in Miami as a Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee with authorization to stay in the U.S. through Aug. 23, 2026. ICE encountered Chernyak Jan. 26 at the Broward County Jail in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, following an arrest for battery with bodily harm, and lodged an immigration detainer. Broward County Jail released Chernyak into the custody of ICE Feb. 2, and he was transported to the Krome Service and Processing Center.

Miami Dade Fire Rescue transported Chernyak to the HCA Kendall Hospital due to vomiting and seizure activity. Hospital medical staff established a stroke alert due to unresponsive state after Chernyak was admitted Feb. 18. Medical staff conducted a CT scan of the brain which revealed bleeding. Medical staff intubated Chernyak and initiated several intravenous medications to stabilize him. Medical staff began brain death protocol Feb. 19 due to the massive intra cranial hemorrhage.

Consistent with ICE protocols, the appropriate components were notified about the death, including the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility. ICE notified Chernyak’s attorney as he does not have a listed next of kin.

Upon an official report of a detained illegal alien death, ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders, and the media and posts a news release with relevant details on the public website within two business days, per agency policy. This information may be accessed in the ICE.gov Newsroom. Additionally, congressional requirements described in the 2018 DHS appropriations bill require ICE to make public all reports regarding an in-custody death within 90 days. These reports may be accessed on the Detainee Death Reporting page.

ICE remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility, a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergent care.

Updated: 02/24/2025
October 30, 2025Chicago, IL, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

Undeterred by government shutdown, ICE continues efforts to remove criminal illegal aliens in Operation Midway Blitz

Facing record numbers of threats, dedicated ICE officers are working around the clock with dedication and professionalism

CHICAGO — Despite unprecedented obstruction from soft-on-crime politicians, activist judges and lawless rioters, ICE continues to arrest criminal aliens who flocked to Chicago to take advantage of Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson’s sanctuary polices.

The Trump administration is laser focused on restoring integrity to the nation’s immigration system and bolstering public safety in Chicago’s communities and all around the country by targeting the “worst of the worst” criminal aliens and others who violate federal immigration laws. Operation Midway Blitz was launched in honor of Katie Abraham, who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run car wreck caused by criminal illegal alien Julio Cucul-Bol.

“The men and women of ICE remain undeterred in their congressionally mandated mission to enhance public safety by removing criminal illegal aliens from our communities,” said ICE Chicago Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Office Director Sam Olson. “The ongoing success of Operation Midway Blitz is a testament to their unwavering commitment to bolster public safety in our cities and towns across the U.S.”

Some of the worst of the worst arrested Oct. 16 include:

Ibrahim Abdi Muse, a 42-year-old illegal alien from Somalia whose criminal history includes convictions for multiple domestic assaults, rape, multiple DUIs and multiple larcenies.
Blanca Cecilia Sanchez-Sanchez, a 21-year-old illegal alien from Venezuela and documented Tren De Agua gang member with a final order of removal and a criminal history that includes an arrest for aggravated assault with a firearm.
Marlon Jordano Sarmiento-Bedoya, a 33-year-old illegal alien from Colombia whose criminal history includes arrests for aggravated domestic battery, DUI and several traffic arrests.

ICE is focused on public safety and national security threats first and foremost. However, any individual illegally present in the United States the agency encounters 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.

Updated: 10/30/2025
Related Information

Know2Protect Campaign

May 13, 2025Ponce, PR, United StatesChild Exploitation

US Army specialist from Puerto Rico arrested for child exploitation

PONCE, Puerto Rico — A U.S. Army specialist from Ponce was arrested on criminal charges related to his alleged child exploitation conduct. Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 24-year-old Derek Orengo Delgado May 8.

A federal grand jury indicted Orengo Delgado May 7 with five counts for coercion and enticement of a minor, transportation of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, sexual exploitation of children, receipt of child exploitation material, and transfer of obscene material to a minor.

According to court documents, on or about January 2025, Orengo Delgado used a cellphone, online instant messaging services and social media to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a 15-year-old female minor to engage in sexual activity and to produce a visual depiction of such conduct.

From Jan. 11 to Jan. 12, Orengo Delgado knowingly transported a 15-year-old female minor with the intent of engaging in sexual activity. During the same period, Orengo Delgado used his computer to produce and transmit the sexually explicit conduct and knowingly received child pornography. He also used an electronic device to transfer obscene material to an individual who had not attained the age of 16 years.

“No child should be deceived by a public servant whose pledge is to defend and protect with honor and integrity,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos. “This individual does not represent the honorable members of the U.S. Army. This case underscores the importance of zero-tolerance approach toward crimes against children. Our HSI agents are relentless and will continue to work with law enforcement partners to identify and prevent child exploitation in Puerto Rico.”

Timothy Henwood, chief of the Criminal Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenifer Hernández-Vega, chief of the Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking and Immigration Unit, are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

For more information about HSI's efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit Know2Protect.gov. To report suspicious activities, call 787-729-6969 or send an email to IntelHSISanJuan@hsi.dhs.gov.

Updated: 05/18/2026
May 29, 2025Washington, DC, United StatesStatement

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement announces leadership realignment as enforcement efforts continue to ramp up

WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement today announced a leadership realignment to support its increasing operational tempo as the agency achieved its highest number of arrests in its history this week.

Organizational realignments will help ICE achieve President Trump and the American people’s mandate of arresting and deporting criminal illegal aliens and making American communities safe.

After 33 years of service to the agency and the American people, ICE’s Acting Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations Ken Genalo has decided to retire and will continue to serve the public as a special government employee to ICE. The decision, which places him in a valuable advising role for field leadership, will allow him to spend more time with his family after being away from them since early January.

“Ken Genalo, who’s dedicated more than three decades to ICE and the American people, served as a field office director in New York City before selflessly agreeing to come to ICE Headquarters at the beginning of the Trump administration,” said ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons. “Genalo has served in this acting capacity to help meet the mandate set forth by the American people — his contributions were integral in the successes we’re seeing today. He’s now going to serve as a special government employee working with field office directors within ICE. I can’t thank him enough.”

Homeland Security Investigations Acting Executive Associate Director Robert Hammer, who has spent the past two decades with HSI and has a wealth of operational knowledge, will transition to another critical leadership position within the agency’s headquarters that requires his unique expertise.

In addition, the following changes were implemented:

Marcos Charles will become the Acting Executive Associate Director of ERO, and Mellissa Harper will serve as his Acting Deputy.
Derek Gordon will step into the role of Acting Executive Associate Director of HSI. William “Bill” Walker will serve as Gordon’s Deputy.
Garrett Ripa will resume his duties as Field Office Director for ERO Miami, FL.
Tatum King will serve as HSI Acting Assistant Director of Domestic Operations.
Dawnisha Helland will serve as Acting Assistant Director of ERO’s Non-Detained Management Division.
Tom Giles will serve as the Assistant Director for ERO Field Operations.
Charles Wall will head the agency’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor.
Susan Cullen Dunbar will become the Executive Associate Director of the agency’s Management and Administration Directorate.

Updated: 05/29/2025
September 18, 2025San Antonio, TX, United StatesHuman Smuggling/Trafficking

Venezuelan man responsible for sex trafficking female illegal aliens sentenced to 10 years in prison

SAN ANTONIO — A Venezuelan illegal alien was sentenced to 10 years in prison on two human trafficking charges and being an alien in possession of a firearm following an investigation conducted by ICE Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the San Antonio Police Department.

Edson Jose Contreras-Torrealba, 34, was sentenced on Sept. 16 by a federal judge to serve 120 months in prison. According to court documents, Contreras-Torrealba and another co-defendant both conspired from February 2024 to Aug. 19, 2024, to recruit, entice, harbor, provide and transport multiple adult women to provide sexual services for a fee in San Antonio. The victims were not free to leave Contreras-Torrealba’s apartment or the designated hotel rooms without permission from the co-conspirators, and they were required to work every day, at all times of day and night. Additionally, Contreras-Torrealba always carried a 9mm pistol and was in possession of the handgun when he was arrested at a hotel in San Antonio on Aug. 19, 2024.

“The sentencing of this international predator underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting those most vulnerable and combating transnational criminal organizations,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “This case highlights the critical importance of collaboration between our local partners to dismantle criminal networks that affect San Antonio and beyond. HSI will continue to prioritize the fight against human trafficking and gang to ensure justice is served. We thank our law enforcement partners and prosecutors for their dedication to this case.”

Read more on Justice.gov.

Updated: 09/19/2025
September 29, 2025Dallas, TX, United StatesDetainee Death Notifications

Victim of active shooter attack at Dallas ICE field office identified

DALLAS — Norlan Guzman-Fuentes, 37, while in the custody of ICE suffered a senseless and tragic fatal gunshot wound during a senseless sniper assault on the ICE Dallas Field Office. Guzman was an illegal alien from El Salvador who was picked up by ICE from local law enforcement.

According to ICE records, it is unknown when and where Guzman illegally entered the United States; however, his criminal background dates back to Feb. 19, 2012, when the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in Palm Springs, Florida, arrested and charged him for battery, improper exhibit of a firearm or dangerous weapon and criminal mischief. All charges were dropped minus the criminal mischief.

On Feb. 14, 2020, the Arlington Police Department in Arlington, Texas, arrested and charged Guzman with driving while intoxicated. Guzman bonded out of custody before ICE was able to lodge a detainer.

On Aug. 25, the Dallas Police Department arrested and charged Guzman with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and an outstanding warrant for driving while intoxicated. On that same date, ICE encountered him at the Dallas County Jail subsequent to his arrest and lodged an immigration detainer.

On Sept. 10, the charge of the aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge was dismissed.

On Sept. 24, ERO Dallas apprehended Guzman in accordance with a detainer for his apprehension. Upon arrival to the ERO Dallas Field Office, ICE officers encountered an active shooter at the facility, targeting immigration officials. Regretfully, Guzman was one the victims of this tragic incident which resulted in his death.

Consistent with ICE policy, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility via the Integrity Coordination Center. ERO provided telephone notification of the death to the Consulate of El Salvador.

ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders and the media upon an official report of a detained illegal alien’s death and posts a news release with relevant details on the ICE public website within two business days per agency policy. This information may be accessed in the ICE.gov Newsroom. Additionally, congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Bill of 2018 require ICE to make public all reports regarding an in-custody death within 90 days.

These reports may be accessed on the Detainee Death Reporting page.

Updated: 09/29/2025
July 22, 2025San Antonio, TX, United StatesDetainee Death Notifications

Vietnamese national dies in ICE custody

SAN ANTONIO — Tien Xuan Phan, a 55-year-old citizen of Vietnam in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was pronounced deceased by the Methodist Hospital Northeast at 5:48 p.m. July 19. The cause of death is still under investigation.

Phan was being detained at the Karnes County Immigration Processing Center in Karnes City. Phan was taken to Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital on July 18 for evaluation due to seizures, vomiting and unresponsiveness, and was later airlifted to the Methodist Hospital Northeast for further evaluation.

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations deportation officers arrested Phan June 2. Phan was ordered removed by an immigration judge on April 2, 2012, but failed to leave the U.S. as ordered.

Consistent with ICE policy, ERO notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility via the Integrity Coordination Center. ERO provided notification of the death to the Vietnam Embassy.

ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders, and the media upon an official report of a detained illegal alien’s death and posts a news release with relevant details on the ICE public website within two business days per agency policy. This information may be accessed in the ICE.gov Newsroom. Additionally, congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Bill of 2018 require ICE to make public all reports regarding an in-custody death within 90 days.

These reports may be accessed on the Detainee Death Reporting page.

ICE remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility, a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility, access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergent care.

Updated: 07/22/2025
November 7, 2025Chicago, IL, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

Violent criminal illegal alien apprehended by ICE after high-stakes operation in Chicago

Subject with a lengthy criminal record, resisted arrest and endangered public safety before officers intervened to save his life during the operation

CHICAGO – ICE officers successfully apprehended Alan Eduardo Garcia, 31, an illegal alien from Mexico, during a high-risk operation as part of Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago. Despite Garcia’s repeated aggression and attempts to evade arrest, ICE officers likely saved his life by preventing him from jumping off a third-floor balcony. His rap sheet includes arrests and convictions for felony strangulation, domestic battery, disorderly conduct, battery causing bodily injury, and aggravated battery against a handicapped or pregnant woman, and unlawful use of a firearm.

“The safety and well-being of our officers is our top priority,” said ICE Chicago Field Office Director Sam Olson. “This incident highlights the risks our officers face daily in carrying out their duties to protect our communities. We commend their professionalism and courage in handling this dangerous situation.”

Garcia’s criminal record includes arrests and convictions for felony strangulation, domestic battery, disorderly conduct, battery causing bodily injury, and aggravated battery against a handicapped or pregnant person. He also faces pending charges for unlawful use of a firearm. Garcia entered the United States illegally and previously held Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status, which was denied in 2019.

On Oct. 8, ICE officers attempted to arrest Garcia during a vehicle stop, but he fled after ramming a government vehicle. Officers pursued him with assistance from a Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations helicopter but lost sight of him due to his reckless driving at speeds over 100 miles per hour, endangering public safety, including children in the area.

On Nov. 5, ICE officers observed Garcia exiting his apartment and entering his vehicle. Garcia again attempted to assault officers by striking their vehicles and fleeing at high speed. He abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot, barricading himself inside his apartment.

Given Garcia’s violent history and potential to be armed, the officers secured the area and received authorization to breach the apartment. Upon entry, Garcia attempted to escape by climbing onto the third-floor balcony, where officers intervened to prevent him from jumping.

Despite ICE officers ensuring his safety, Garcia continued to resist arrest and struck officers before being subdued, handcuffed, and transported to the Northbrook Police Department for medical evaluation. Two officers sustained injuries during the operation and were treated by a tactical medic and at an urgent care facility.

Garcia remains in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings.

If you have information about criminal alien activity in your community, call the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE or complete the online tip form.

Updated: 11/07/2025