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May 23, 2025Houiston, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Houston deports accused murderer to Mexico who has been on the run for 20 years

HOUSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported Jesus Vazquez Daniel, a 59-year-old illegal alien and accused murderer, from the U.S. May 22.

Vazquez has been on the run for the past 20 years after he allegedly murdered a Mexican national in Hidalgo, Mexico, Oct. 1, 2004.

ICE transported Vazquez from the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe to the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge Port of Entry in Laredo, and he was turned over to Mexican authorities.

“For the past 20 years, this accused murderer evaded authorities while the family of his alleged victim was forced to wait patiently praying that justice might one day be served,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “Thanks to outstanding teamwork and unyielding persistence by ICE officers from the Dallas and Houston field offices, that wait has finally come to an end.”

Vazquez illegally entered the United States on an unknown date and at an unknown location without inspection, admission or parole. On July 18, 2024, ERO Dallas notified ERO Houston that they had received information indicating that Vazquez was potentially illegally residing in the Hillsboro area. A follow-up investigation by officers from ERO Houston’s Waco office confirmed that Vazquez was residing in the area and had an open warrant in Mexico for his arrest. On Feb. 2, ICE officers, with assistance from the Hill County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, safely arrested Vazquez in Hillsboro. Vazquez was transported to the Montgomery Processing Center Feb. 3 and placed into immigration proceedings. On May 13, an immigration judge with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review ordered Vazquez removed to Mexico.

For more news and information on ICE’s efforts to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and defend public safety, national security and border security in Southeast Texas follow us on X at @EROHouston.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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For more information on EOIR, visit: justice.gov/eoir.

May 28, 2025Houston, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal, Child Exploitation

ICE Houston deports convicted child predator who has illegally entered US 3 times

HOUSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Oscar Lopez Delira, a 47-year-old three-time removed criminal alien and convicted child predator, to his home country of Mexico May 27.

ICE officers transported Lopez from the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe to the Laredo Port of Entry and he was released into Mexico.

While in the U.S. illegally, Lopez has been convicted of two counts of sexually exploiting a minor, March 20, 2017, and illegal reentry July 1, 2024.

Lopez first illegally entered the U.S. on an unknown date and at an unknown location. On Jan. 2, 2001, he was arrested by ICE in Dallas and he was returned to Mexico that same day.

Lopez illegally reentered the U.S. on an unknown date and at an unknown location and wasn’t encountered by ICE again until Aug. 25, 2015, when he was arrested for sexually exploiting a minor in Carrolton. On Aug. 23, 2019, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice transferred Lopez into ICE custody, and he was placed into immigration proceedings. An immigration judge from the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review ordered Lopez removed to Mexico Sept. 10, 2019. ICE officers carried out that order Sept. 12, 2019, and deported him to Mexico through the Laredo Port of Entry.

Lopez illegally entered the U.S. for a third time on Feb. 11, 2024, near Hidalgo, and was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol and charged with illegal reentry. Lopez was convicted of illegal reentry July 1, 2024, and sentenced to 18 months in prison. On May 23, 2025, he was transferred into ICE custody from the Beaumont Federal Correctional Institution, and he was removed to Mexico May 27.

“For far too long, dangerous criminal aliens like this individual have been able to easily circumvent our nation’s laws to illegally enter the country only to go on and victimize innocent and law-abiding residents,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operation Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “In response, ICE is working daily with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to restore integrity to our nation’s laws and public safety to 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
August 6, 2025Houston, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Houston operation results in 42 arrests, including criminal alien convicted of assaulting 2 law enforcement officers

HOUSTON — ICE, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations, the U.S. Border Patrol, and state and local law enforcement, arrested 42 illegal aliens Aug. 5 during an operation in Southeast Houston targeting criminal aliens and other egregious immigration offenders.

The arrests were a result of multiagency immigration enforcement operations established by the current administration to bolster public safety and national security in communities across the country by targeting the “worst of the worst” criminal aliens for arrest and removal.

“For years, millions of illegal aliens were permitted to illegally enter the country with little to no vetting to determine whether they presented a threat to public safety or national security,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston acting Field Office Director Gabriel Martinez. “To address this issue, ICE continues to conduct enforcement operations that target violent criminal aliens and other egregious immigration offenders who are in the country illegally and threatening public safety. This operation is another example of those efforts and resulted in the arrest of more than 40 illegal aliens who violated our nation’s immigration laws including a criminal alien convicted of assaulting two law enforcement officers and another alien convicted of physically abusing his wife. ICE will continue to conduct these operations, without apology, to protect law-abiding residents and restore integrity to our nation’s immigration system.”

Among the aliens arrested were:

Marvin Joel Castillo, a 39-year-old criminal alien from Honduras, who was convicted in August 2014 of assault and battery for assaulting two law enforcement officers.
Carlos Enrique Choc-Sacul, a 36-year-old previously deported criminal alien from Guatemala, who has illegally entered the U.S. three times and been convicted of forgery and illegal entry.
Francisco Javier Martinez Robles, a 35-year-old previously deported criminal alien from Mexico, who was deported to Mexico in July 2017 and convicted of assaulting a family member in October 2022.

Members of the public can report suspected violations of U.S. immigration law and other suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Interested in working for ICE? Visit our website to learn more about an exciting career in federal law enforcement. ICE is currently hiring deportation officers, criminal investigators and attorneys, and offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package that features sign-on bonuses, flexible work schedules, tuition reimbursement, transportation subsidies and access to health and wellness programs.

Updated: 08/06/2025
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April 10, 2025Houston, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Houston removes foreign fugitive wanted for aggravated homicide

HOUSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Hedilberto Nunez Garay, a 41-year-old illegal alien, to his home country of Mexico, April 9. Nunez is wanted in Durango, Mexico, for aggravated homicide for allegedly murdering Eladio Carrasco Corral, a 63-year-old Mexican national, Sept. 3, 2020.

ICE transported Nunez from the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, Texas, to the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge Port of Entry in Laredo, Texas, where he was turned over to Mexican authorities.

“For far too long, dangerous foreign fugitives like this alleged murderer have been able to illegally enter the U.S. and hide out in our local communities to evade prosecution abroad for violent crime,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “Those days are over as the law enforcement community in Texas has banded together to aggressively track down foreign fugitives, transnational gang members and other criminal aliens illegally residing in the country and remove them to their country of origin to face justice for their alleged crimes.”

Nunez illegally entered the U.S. on an unknown date and at an unknown location. The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office arrested Nunez Nov. 12, 2007, in Yorkville, Illinois, for driving without a license. Following his arrest, Nunez departed the U.S. on an unknown date. He illegally reentered the U.S. April 29, 2022, and was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol near Eagle Pass, Texas, and expelled to Mexico under Title 42. Nunez illegally entered the U.S. for a third time on an unknown date and at an unknown location. After receiving a tip from the National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center, ICE fugitive operations officers quickly located Nunez, with assistance from the Waco Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety, and he was safely taken into custody June 4, 2024. An immigration judge with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review ordered Nunez removed to Mexico Oct. 30, 2024. The Board of Immigration Appeals dismissed a subsequent appeal of that decision March 20.

Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives 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.

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: 08/15/2025
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March 27, 2025Houston, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Houston removes Guatemalan fugitive wanted for criminal impersonation

Kevin Estuardo Escobar Chanas, a 27-year-old foreign fugitive wanted for criminal impersonation in Guatemala, disembarks from an ICE Air charter flight in Guatemala City, Guatemala, March 26 after ICE removed him from the U.S. and handed him over to Guatemalan authorities.

HOUSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Kevin Estuardo Escobar Chanas, a 27-year-old foreign fugitive wanted for criminal impersonation in Guatemala, from the United States March 26.

Escobar was flown from Alexandria, Louisiana, on a charter flight coordinated by ICE's Air Operations Unit to La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City, Guatemala. He was turned over to Guatemalan law enforcement authorities upon arrival.

“The successful identification and removal of this foreign fugitive is another reminder of how important it is for state and local law enforcement to work together with ICE,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret A. Bradford. “Without the strength of those partnerships that we have here in Texas, this foreign fugitive would still be out in the community threatening public safety, and his alleged victims in Guatemala would continue to be deprived of the justice they deserve.”

Escobar illegally entered the U.S. Dec. 24, 2023, near Eagle Pass, Texas. He was immediately apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol and released on his own recognizance Dec. 25, 2023. ICE encountered Escobar Oct. 27, 2024, at the Harris County Jail following his arrest for assault causing bodily injury and lodged an immigration detainer with the jail. Escobar was released into ICE custody Jan. 25 following the completion of his prison sentence for assault and was taken to the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, Texas. An immigration judge with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review ordered Escobar removed to Guatemala Feb. 25.

Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE Tip Line at 866-347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.

For more news and information on how the ERO Houston field office carries out its immigration enforcement mission in Southeast Texas follow us on X at @EROHouston.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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March 18, 2025Houston, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Houston removes previously deported criminal alien to Mexico convicted of manslaughter

HOUSTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Orbelin Benitez-Carbajal, a 49-year-old previously deported criminal alien convicted of manslaughter, to Mexico March 17.

ICE transported Benitez-Carbajal from the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, Texas, to the Laredo Port of Entry where he was released into Mexico. He was previously deported to Mexico Dec. 11, 2014.

Benitez-Carbajal was convicted of numerous criminal offenses while illegally in the U.S. including manslaughter in Travis County, Texas, July 22, 2010; assault in Travis County April 25, 2006; driving while intoxicated in Austin, Texas, Dec. 5, 2023; and illegal entry in the Western District of Texas Jan. 25, 2024.

“This violent criminal alien has repeatedly and recklessly flaunted our nation’s system of laws and as a direct result he was responsible for taking an innocent life,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operation Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “Despite spending years in prison and being deported back to Mexico, he illegally re-entered the U.S. and went on to commit multiple other crimes.”

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
December 1, 2025Tulsa, OK, United StatesFirearms, Ammunition and Explosives

ICE HSI and federal partners arrest a criminal illegal alien and his son for illegally trafficking over 70 firearms

The investigation was conducted by ICE HSI, ATF and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol

TULSA, Okla. – Following an investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) alongside federal and state law enforcement partners, a criminal illegal alien and his son have been charged with illegally trafficking 75 firearms and ammunition.

Andres Avila, a 48-year-old criminal illegal alien from Mexico, and his son, Anthony Avila, a 22-year-old Houston resident were caught allegedly trafficking the firearms and ammunition that they purchased at area gun shows. Andres is also charged with being an alien who is in the U.S. illegally and in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The investigation that uncovered the scheme was conducted by ICE Homeland Security Investigations Dallas, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

“Oftentimes, illegally trafficked firearms end up in the hands of the drug cartels, terrorists, foreign adversaries, or other bad actors,” said HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. “By working alongside our partners to uncover this scheme and seize these firearms, we’ve prevented a large cache of deadly weapons from potentially being used to sew chaos or fueling other illicit criminal activity or acts of violence.”

The investigation began after special agents witnessed two individuals, later identified as Andres Avila and Anthony Avila (“Andres” and “Anthony”), allegedly engaging in activities consistent with straw purchasing and firearms trafficking. Andres and Anthony were seen wearing backpacks and working together to purchase firearms. When their backpacks were full, it’s alleged that they emptied their bags into large totes kept beneath a specific vendor’s table. Court documents show that they paid cash to purchase firearms from private sellers in an attempt to avoid law enforcement detection.

After making several purchases and spending more than six hours at the gun show, agents observed Andres and Anthony leaving in a vehicle with a Texas license plate. When law enforcement conducted a traffic stop, they found large quantities of bulk ammunition marked in the vehicle, consistent with ammo purchased at the gun show. A subsequent records check revealed that Andres is in the United States illegally and prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms.

Agents interviewed the vendors sitting at the booth where the guns were stored in totes. They explained that Andres is not legally inside the United States and discovered that there were more than 75 firearms in the totes. Apparently, the vendors met Andres and Anthony through a Texas pawn shop and explained they would pay cash to purchase firearm magazines.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Dowdell is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Updated: 12/08/2025
February 10, 2025Lima, PeruTransnational Gangs, Human Smuggling/Trafficking

ICE HSI assists Peru’s National Police in large joint operation to arrest Tren de Aragua members

LIMA, Peru – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement supported the National Police of Peru in Lima to arrest and dismantle the illicit activities of Tren de Aragua members in the country, Feb. 7.

Members of ICE Homeland Security Investigations Lima and the ICE HSI Transnational Criminal Investigations Unit supported more than 300 National Police of Peru officers from the Directorate Against Human Trafficking and Illicit Migrant Trafficking in an operation which targeted at least eight specific locations in Santa Anita, San Martin de Porres, and Puente Piedra in Lima, Peru. Approximately 23 individuals suspected of being involved with a human trafficking network were arrested, and more than 80 human trafficking victims were rescued, including three minors.

“Peru is a dedicated partner in the fight against transnational criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua,” said ICE HSI Lima Attaché Paul Salamon. “Together, ICE HSI and the National Police of Peru are protecting our nations to ensure the safety of our citizens,”

“Last night, an operation was carried out with the support of ICE HSI Lima to dismantle the remnants of the criminal organization Tren de Aragua in various districts in Peru,” said National Police of Peru General Aldo Juan Ávila Novoa from the Directorate Against Human Trafficking and Illicit Migrant Trafficking. “We have deployed a force of 300 police officers from specialized units and the Shock Force, such as the National Division of Special Operations and the GRECCO group.”

“Transnational criminal organizations have no place in the strong, secure and prosperous region we are building with our partners,” said U.S. Ambassador to Peru Stephanie Syptak-Ramnath. “The success of this operation, led by the Peruvian National Police with the support of the United States, is a testament to the great work we can accomplish together to improve the security of our citizens and our shared region.”

Members of the public with information related to criminal activities of transnational organizations can submit an anonymous tip by calling 877-4-HSI-TIP.

Updated: 02/10/2025
June 9, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE HSI Buffalo arrests convicted sex offender illegally present in US

BUFFALO, N.Y. — On June 4, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo arrested a twice-convicted Chinese national, also a registered sex offender, for being illegally present in the United States despite having a final order of removal.

Personnel with ICE HSI and U.S. Border Patrol arrested Ho Kai Tam, also known as Raymond Tam, in Williamsville, New York. While in the U.S. illegally, Tam, a 42-year-old citizen of Hong Kong, was arrested in January 2003 and ultimately convicted of mail fraud for an offense that occurred in Buffalo, New York. Later, he was arrested in February 2010 and ultimately convicted of sexual misconduct for an offense that occurred in Tonawonda, New York.

Tam entered the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident on or about July 2, 1996. An immigration judge issued a final removal order for Tam on July 11, 2005.

Following his recent arrest, Tam was transported to the Batavia Federal Detention Facility. He will remain in ICE custody.

Updated: 06/09/2025
May 5, 2025Gulfport, MS, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE HSI Gulfport, partners, investigate illegal immigration, cockfighting operations

GULFPORT, Miss. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, jointly with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other partners, executed search warrants involving illegal immigration, cockfighting and other criminal activity in Southern Mississippi May 3.

The investigation was led by the ICE Homeland Security Task Force and the Border Enforcement Security Task Force. In addition to possible state and federal charges relating to animal fighting and gambling, other investigative areas included illegal aliens, narcotics and weapons. Partners in the operation include ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and FBI.

ICE Gulfport special agents and deportation officers are in the process of positively identifying all encountered individuals, as well as checking immigration records.

ICE Gulfport will seek state and federal criminal or administrative charges as appropriate. Federal prosecutions will be led by the Southern District of Mississippi United States Attorney’s Office.

“In addition to the acts of animal cruelty perpetrated by the operators and encouraged by the participants, underground gambling operations such as these often have ties to other significant crimes including narcotics violations, money laundering, and acts of violence,” said ICE HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune. “These crimes degrade the safety of our communities, and we are proud to be the ones stopping these illegal operations.”

“The Office of Inspector General is committed to working with all of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in pursuing individuals who choose to participate in animal fighting activities and engage in violations involving animal welfare, while also committing other serious offenses in our communities,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Dax Roberson of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General.

“The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi is working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who violate our nation’s immigration, narcotics, and animal cruelty laws are held accountable,” said Acting Southern District of Mississippi U.S. Attorney Patrick Lemon.

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: 05/06/2025