stanforddams/biglocal huggingface dataset:
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April 15, 2025San Antonio, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE removes Salvadoran national wanted for rape against a minor in his home country

SAN ANTONIO — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Christopher Alexis Rodriguez Flores, 24, a Salvadoran national wanted for rape against a minor in his home country, April 9.

Enforcement and Removal Operations San Antonio officers, in coordination with ICE ERO El Salvador and its Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement taskforce, removed Rodriguez on an ICE Air Operation Charter flight to El Salvador where he was turned over to local authorities without incident.

“This removal exemplifies our commitment to deport illegal aliens who flee their countries after committing crimes,” said ICE ERO San Antonio acting Field Office Director Sylvester M. Ortega. “They will find no refuge in the United States.”

U.S. Border Patrol agents near Eagle Pass, Texas, encountered Rodriguez on July 16, 2024. He was arrested and processed for removal. On July 18, 2024, Rodriguez was transferred to ICE ERO San Antonio custody to continue his immigration proceedings. He remained in ERO custody and on Jan. 29, an immigration judge ordered Rodriguez’ removal to El Salvador.

Members of the public 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.

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

Updated: 06/13/2025
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April 17, 2025Seattle, WA, United StatesHuman Smuggling/Trafficking, Enforcement and Removal

ICE removes twice deported criminal alien wanted for human trafficking in El Salvador

SEATTLE – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Wilver Cota-Ortiz, 43, a citizen of El Salvador, to his home country where he is wanted by law enforcement authorities for human trafficking.

Cota entered the U.S. at an unknown date and location without inspection or admission by an immigration official. The Dallas Police Department arrested him Jan. 9, 2010 for assault with a deadly weapon and an immigration detainer was placed on Cota the next day. The 195th Judicial District Court in Dallas convicted Cota on two counts of assault April 1, 2010, sentencing him to 8 years probation. Custody was transferred to ICE in accordance with the immigration detainer, and Cota was removed to El Salvador as ordered by an immigration judge Dec. 17, 2010.

Cota reentered the U.S. at an unknown date and location, arrested by U.S. Border Patrol Aug. 6, 2013, in Otay Mesa, California where it was determined he had an active warrant for a probation violation in Dallas. The 195th Judicial District Court convicted Cota of probation violation, sentencing him to two years incarceration. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Correction Facility Huntsville transferred custody to the United States Marshal Service, who then transferred custody to ICE in accordance with an immigration detainer. Cota was again removed to El Salvador Dec. 18, 2015.

Cota reentered the U.S. at an unknown date and location, and this time he was arrested by ICE for illegal reentry Feb. 15, 2023. The U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware convicted Cota Oct. 31, 2023, of illegal reentry, sentencing him to nine months incarceration. While in federal prison, it was discovered that Cota was wanted by authorities in El Salvador for human trafficking, and his removal was completed April 4 without incident.

“ICE will make every effort to arrest those that have fled to the U.S. to evade justice in their home country,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Seattle Interim Field Office Director Cammilla H. Wamsley. “The seriousness of these charges places a particular importance on that mission.”

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.

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

Updated: 06/13/2025
March 10, 2026Eloy, AZ, United StatesHuman Rights Violators

ICE removes violent paramilitary war criminal and terrorist to Ethiopia

ELOY, Ariz. — On March 4, ICE removed Solomon Bogale, a member of the deadly paramilitary organization Fano, back to Ethiopia. Fano has been designated as a terrorist group by the Ethiopian government.

Bogale, a native and citizen of Ethiopia, entered the United States on Sept. 16, 2023, without inspection. U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered him two days later and instituted removal proceedings.

“Our officers continue to effect the removal of suspected human rights violators to their home countries,” said ERO Phoenix acting Field Office Director Christopher McGregor. “ERO officers are committed to public safety and national security, and removing this individual from the United States serves both those priorities.”

An immigration judge in Baltimore, Maryland, denied Bogale immigration benefits after ICE discovered numerous social media accounts where he openly identified himself as a member of Fano, a Tier III terrorist group. In his posts, Bogale called for the persecution of and violence against ethnic Tigrayans through their “cleansing” from Ethiopia. The case was litigated by ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor in Baltimore with help from the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center.

The HSI-led Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center furthers the government’s efforts to identify, locate and prosecute human rights abusers in the U.S., including those who are known or suspected to have participated in persecution, war crimes, genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, female genital mutilation or the use or recruitment of child soldiers. Since 2003, ICE has arrested more than 520 people for human rights-related violations of the law under various criminal and immigration statutes. During the same period, ICE obtained deportation orders against — and physically removed from the United States — 1,178 known or suspected human rights violators and facilitated the departures of an additional 208. The Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center has issued more than 80,000 lookouts for potential perpetrators of human rights abuses and has stopped over 415 human rights violators and war crimes suspects from entering the U.S.

If you have information about potential former human rights violators in the United States, contact U.S. law enforcement through the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE or by filling out the online tip form. You can also email HRV.ICE@ice.dhs.gov.

Updated: 03/16/2026
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February 25, 2026Washington, DC, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE removes violent rapist and Salvadoran national from Maryland

WASHINGTON — On Jan. 30, ICE Baltimore — with help from its partners at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center in Maryland — removed Ruben Alonso Hernandez-Lainez, a 29-year-old illegal criminal alien from El Salvador who was convicted of second-degree assault and second-degree rape in Fredrick County, Maryland. Fortunately, ICE arrested this monster before the Maryland legislature passed a law banning all partnerships between state and local law enforcement agencies and ICE.

“ICE could only arrest and remove this criminal illegal alien thanks to our 287(g) partnership with Frederick County,” said ICE Deputy Director Charles Wall. “It’s profoundly disappointing that since then, the Maryland legislature is trying to undermine this critical law enforcement relationship between state and local police and ICE. These partnerships keep rapists and public safety threats like Hernandez out of our communities.”

Hernandez illegally entered the United States in 2021, at an unknown location. In May 2022, Border Patrol officials encountered him near Hidalgo, Texas, but were forced to release him into the United States thanks to the Biden administration’s catch-and-release policies. He then went on to assault and rape an innocent victim.

On May 15, 2023, Maryland’s Frederick Police Department arrested him on charges of rape and assault. In February 2025, a judge convicted and sentenced him to three years and four months in prison, with all but 18 months suspended, and placed him on five years of supervised probation.

On Jan. 20, 2026, an immigration judge issued Hernandez’s final order of removal, and on Jan. 30, ICE removed him from the United States.

“The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office 287(g) partnership in the adult detention center has once again kept a convicted rapist and violent criminal from being released back into the community to reoffend and victimize more people,” said Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins. “This demonstrates the real public safety value of the 287(g) program. After 18 years of success, this very effective partnership will be ended because of legislation passed in Maryland. Violent criminals like Hernandez will now be released and ICE will be forced to make apprehensions on the street rather a safe custody transfer in the jail. ICE agents have an enforcement mission. This will quickly prove to be disastrous legislation, and Marylanders will be at risk more than ever before.”

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: 02/25/2026
January 9, 2026El Paso, TX, United StatesDetainee Death Notifications

ICE reports aggravated felon and convicted child sex offender’s death at Camp East Montana in Texas

EL PASO, Texas — Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old aggravated felon from Cuba, died in ICE custody Jan. 3 at Camp East Montana. He was pronounced deceased at 10:16 p.m. after experiencing medical distress. His cause of death is under investigation.

Earlier that day, Lunas became disruptive while in line for medication and refused to return to his assigned dorm. He was subsequently placed in segregation. While in segregation, staff observed him in distress and contacted on-site medical personnel for assistance. Medical staff responded, initiated lifesaving measures, and requested emergency medical services. Lunas was pronounced deceased by EMS.

Lunas was arrested by immigration authorities on July 14, 2025, during a planned enforcement operation in Rochester, New York. He entered the U.S. in 1996 and has been charged with and convicted of multiple crimes, including felonies, since then. His convictions include:

Criminal possession of a weapon on June 8, 1998.
Petit larceny on May 5, 1999.
Unlawful possession of a weapon during a robbery on March 22, 2002.
Sexual contact with a child under 11 on Jan. 17, 2003.
Petit larceny on Oct. 14, 2005.
Petit larceny on May 25, 2006.
Reckless driving on June 8, 2006.
Possession of a controlled substance on Feb. 26, 2007.
Driving while intoxicated on Oct. 26, 2007.
Sale of a controlled substance on Feb. 17, 2009.

An immigration judge ordered Lunas removed from the U.S. March 1, 2005. However, he was not removed because the government could not obtain travel documents. ICE transferred him to Camp East Montana Sept. 6, 2025.

ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders and the media upon official reports of in-custody alien deaths and posts news releases with relevant details on ICE's public website. You may access this information in ICE’s Newsroom. Congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018 require ICE to publicize all reports regarding in-custody deaths within 90 days. You may access these reports on ICE Detainee Death Reporting page.

ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in 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 screenings 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 alien denied emergency care.

Updated: 01/09/2026
January 18, 2026El Paso, TX, United StatesDetainee Death Notifications

ICE reports death of illegal alien in custody in El Paso

EL PASO, Texas — Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old illegal alien from Nicaragua, died in ICE custody Jan. 14 at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas. He was pronounced deceased at 4:09 p.m.

Contract security staff found Diaz unconscious and unresponsive in his room. They immediately notified contract medical staff on site to conduct life saving measures. At 3:35 p.m. (MST) El Paso EMS was notified. At 3:45 p.m. (MST), EMS arrived and continued life saving measures on the Diaz. He was pronounced deceased by EMS at 4:09 p.m. (MST), on January 14, 2026.

He died of a presumed suicide; however, the official cause of his death remains under investigation.

Diaz entered ICE custody on Jan. 6. ICE officers encountered him in Minneapolis, Minnesota and determined he was unlawfully present in the United States. He was subsequently arrested for an immigration violation.

According to ICE records, Diaz illegally entered the United States on March 26, 2024, when he was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol agents on the U.S. side of the U.S.–Mexico border. After processing, he was served a notice to appear before an immigration judge and released on parole pending his court date.

An immigration judge ordered Diaz removed in absentia on Aug. 26, 2025. On Jan. 12, ICE processed him as a final order of removal and detained him pending removal from the United States.

ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders and the media upon official reports of in-custody alien deaths and posts news releases with relevant details on ICE’s public website. You may access this information in ICE.gov’s Newsroom. Congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018 require ICE to publicize all reports regarding in-custody deaths within 90 days. You may access these reports on ICE.gov’s Detainee Death Reporting page.

ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in 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 screenings 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 emergency care.

Updated: 01/20/2026
September 30, 2025Washington, DC, United StatesStatement

ICE response to Broadview mayor who accused ICE of ‘war’ on community

WASHINGTON — Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons sent a letter responding to Broadview Mayor Katrina R. Thompson's letter sent to ICE’s Chicago field office director Sept. 26. The mayor's letter made outlandish accusations, including of “making war” on the community of Broadview.

“Unfortunately, the Broadview Processing Center continues to face violence and unlawful activity by rioters. The relentless actions of these individuals — and their attempts to obstruct the enforcement of federal law — are unacceptable.”
“We have repeatedly requested assistance from state and local law enforcement, including your own police department, to disperse these unlawful assemblies. Instead, local inaction has enabled agitators to escalate violence and placed federal officers, first responders, and Broadview residents in harm’s way.”
“Failure to help provide relief makes you a party to the obstruction of justice. There will be no change in our operational posture until these unlawful activities cease. The only siege in Broadview is the one being waged against the United States government.”

There is no place for fearmongering, misinformation, or misplaced blame, which erodes public trust and may very well incite even more violence against the men and women of ICE.

Mayor Thompson is distorting reality, pointing her finger in the wrong direction, while our officers are protecting her community — and others — from real threats, while also facing skyrocketing violence against them, including at the Broadview facility. In the past week alone, violent rioters have been arrested for assault and obstruction, and three of them were carrying loaded firearms to protest.

Updated: 10/14/2025
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March 5, 2025Miami, FL, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE returns Dominican national wanted for human smuggling which led to the death of 3 minors

MIAMI – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Edgar Batista Matos, 36, a Dominican national wanted in his home country for human smuggling leading to the death of three minors, on March 4 when he departed Miami International Airport on board an ICE removal flight to his destination at Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He was turned over to law enforcement authorities upon his arrival.

Batista Matos has been removed from the United States on three previous occasions. His first removal was on Oct. 8, 2010, when he was encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol after he entered illegally near Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. He was then encountered and removed again in 2011, 2019 and 2023.

He was arrested by police in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in September 2024 after a warrant was issued by law enforcement in the Dominican Republic for his connection with the fatal alien smuggling venture. Batista Matos came into ICE custody Feb. 6 and was transferred to Miami pending his removal.

“The return of this fugitive to the Dominican Republic is a prime example of how ICE works closely with our international law enforcement partners to identify, locate and remove criminal aliens who are wanted in their country for allegedly committing crimes,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Miami acting Field Office Director Juan Lopez Vega. “ICE prioritizes the arrest and removal of criminal alien fugitives. As a result, our communities are safer and more secure.”

ICE coordinated the removal of Batista Matos with the Dominican National Police.

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.

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

Updated: 06/13/2025
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May 19, 2025Brownville, TX, United StatesChild Exploitation

ICE RGV, federal partner investigation results in the sentencing of a Mexican illegal alien for possession of sexually explicit images and videos of children

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A Mexican illegal alien was sentenced May 14 for possession of child sexual abuse material following an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with the assistance of U.S. Border Patrol.

Felix Raymundo Mora-Gonzalez, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera to 70 months in federal prison. He was further ordered to pay $13,000 in restitution to the known victims and will serve 25 years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Mora-Gonzalez will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Mora-Gonzalez pleaded guilty Feb. 20.

“Crimes against children are among the most disturbing we investigate,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Rio Grande Valley Deputy Special Agent in Charge Mark Lippa. “This sentencing sends a clear message that those who exploit the most vulnerable will face serious consequences. HSI remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect children and bring predators to justice.”

According to court documents, Mora-Gonzalez was arrested Feb. 21, 2023, in connection with his involvement in an alien smuggling investigation. Mora-Gonzalez was originally arrested for harboring illegal aliens. However, the investigation uncovered a cell phone at the stash house that belonged to him. A forensic examination of the cell phone revealed Mora-Gonzalez knowingly possessed 29 videos and nine images of CSAM. He also pleaded guilty to the alien smuggling charges and was previously sentenced to 15 months.

Mora-Gonzalez remains in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ana C. Cano, Israel Cano and Joe Esquivel from the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case.

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

For more information about HSI San Antonio and its public safety efforts in Central and South Texas, follow HSI San Antonio on X at @HSI_SanAntonio.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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June 5, 2025Harlingen, TX, United StatesWorksite Enforcement

ICE Rio Grande Valley conducts worksite enforcement operation resulting in 25 arrests

HARLINGEN, Texas – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with the support of Texas Department of Public Safety and U.S. Marshals Service, arrested 25 illegal aliens June 4 during a targeted worksite enforcement operation that took place at two construction sites, South Padre Island and Brownsville, Texas.

"Today’s arrests reflect ICE’s unwavering commitment to upholding the integrity of our immigration system and protecting our nation’s workforce. Individuals who violate federal immigration and employment laws not only undermine fair labor standards but also pose potential security and safety risks. ICE will continue to work with our partners to identify and investigate those who disregard the law and exploit our country’s systems for personal or commercial gain,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee.

The individuals arrested are citizens of Mexico and Honduras and are pending removal back to their home country.

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.

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.

For more information about ICE HSI San Antonio and its efforts to enhance public safety in south and central Texas, follow us on X at @HSI_SanAntonio.

Learn more about worksite enforcement by visiting ICE’s Worksite Enforcement Investigations

Updated: 06/05/2025