U.S. Department of Homeland Security Weekly Digest Bulletin

Criminal Illegal Alien from Mexico Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Violently Assaulting ICE Officer in Kansas 12/15/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs Criminal Illegal Alien from Mexico Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Violently Assaulting ICE Officer in Kansas Secretary Noem has been clear: if you lay a hand on law enforcement, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Diego Barron-Esquivel, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for violently assaulting and strangling an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in February in Wichita, Kansas. Diego Barron-Esquivel On February 28, 2025, two ICE officers were conducting a targeted enforcement operation to arrest Barron-Esquivel, a violent criminal illegal alien who had been consistently harassing his former spouse. His extensive, violent criminal history includes arrests for multiple counts of domestic battery, multiple counts of violation of protection order, criminal damage to property, aggravated robbery, felony theft, transporting an open container, criminal restraint, possession of drug paraphernalia, and improper use of an automobile. Barron-Esquivel resisted arrest. He violently punched one of the officers in the face and head, escalating to strangling the officer with his own badge cord. The officer almost passed out before he successfully broke the badge cord. Barron-Esquivel fled arrest but was later successfully apprehended by local law enforcement. "This barbaric criminal illegal alien, with a rap sheet a mile long, violently punched one our officers in the face and head and then began strangling the officer with his own badge cord. Our officers are facing a 1150% increase in violence against them as they arrest the worst of the worst," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "He now faces 20 years in federal prison. Secretary Noem has been clear: if you lay a hand on law enforcement, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." Barron-Esquivel pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault of a federal officer on December 3, 2025, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison, the maximum penalty allowed under the statute. Barron-Esquivel entered the country at unknown date and location. # # # ICE Arrests Worst of Worst Murderers, Pedophiles, and Drug Traffickers Over the Weekend 12/15/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs ICE Arrests Worst of Worst Murderers, Pedophiles, and Drug Traffickers Over the Weekend This holiday season, Americans can rejoice because ICE law enforcement has removed the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from their neighborhoods WASHINGTON — While Americans were enjoying their weekends and many families across the country were celebrating the first night of Hanukkah and attending Christmas parties, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were hard at work arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens convicted for horrific crimes including murder, sex crimes against children, and drug trafficking. "While Americans were at Christmas parties and celebrating the first night of Hanukkah, the patriotic heroes of ICE law enforcement were selflessly risking their lives to arrest the worst of the worst," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "This weekend, ICE arrested murderers, pedophiles, and drug traffickers. This holiday season, Americans can rejoice these monsters are out of their neighborhoods." Arrests over the weekend include: Thai Lor, a criminal illegal alien from Thailand, convicted for murder in the second degree in St. Paul, Minnesota. Patricia Judith Diaz-Angel, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted for pimping a minor over 16-years-old in Los Angeles, California. Benevenuto Walter Lopez-Alonzo, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala and member of the Piasa prison gang, convicted for sexual exploitation of a minor in Wapello County, Iowa. Hector Rodarte Ramirez, a criminal illegal from Mexico, convicted for sexual assault on a child 14-year-old in Dallas County, Texas. David Moreno-Gomez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for indecent assault of a minor less than 16-years-old in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Yovanny Dominguez-Herrera, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for lewd act with child under 14-years-old in Los Angeles, California. Anthony Agduma, a criminal illegal alien from the Philippines, convicted for felony sexual assault of a child (at least 13 years of age, but less than 16 years of age) and endangering the welfare of a child through sexual conduct in Somerset, New Jersey. Pablo Ivan Gomez-Torres, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, convicted for homicide, robbery, kidnapping, and fraud in Miami, Florida. Chi Ying, a criminal illegal alien from China, convicted for money laundering conspiracy in Boston, Massachusetts. Jovo Lopez-Zaavedra, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for course of sexual conduct in New City, New York. Sergio Lopez-Reyna, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for carjacking and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a federal crime of violence in the United States District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina. Antonio Valdez-Lera, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for domestic assault in McMinnville, Tennessee. Samweli Lwaboshi Oshigee, a criminal illegal alien from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, convicted for statutory sexual seduction by person age 21 or older in Reno, Nevada. Hinh Quang Tran, a criminal illegal alien from Vietnam, convicted for cocaine sell, cocaine trafficking 150kg or more in Monroe, Florida. Carlos Diaz-Pabon, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for grand theft in Polk County, Florida. # # # ICE Arrests Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Pedophiles, Kidnappers, and Drug Traffickers 12/16/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs ICE Arrests Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Pedophiles, Kidnappers, and Drug Traffickers All Americans wants for Christmas is criminals off their streets and out of their communities WASHINGTON — While Americans are enjoying their holiday preparations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) law enforcement officers are hard at work arresting more worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from across the country, including those convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, kidnapping, and importation of fentanyl. "Nothing slows our law enforcement down from removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from our neighborhoods, not even celebrating Christmas and the holiday season," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "Just yesterday they removed more pedophiles, kidnappers, and drug traffickers from our streets. All Americans want for Christmas is criminal illegal aliens off their streets, and our law enforcement is delivering that gift for communities across our nation." Yesterday's arrests include: Ignacio Luna, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor in Los Angeles, California. Michael McGregor-Graham, a criminal illegal alien from Panama, convicted of second-degree kidnapping and indecent liberties with a child in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Jorby Joel Escuraina-Suarez, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela, convicted of aggravated assault in Salt Lake City, Utah. Anel Billy Irigoyen Portillo, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of importation of fentanyl in the United States District Court of Arizona. Luis Javier Medellin-Garza, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of burglary of habitation in Cameron County, Texas. # # # DHS Slams Sanctuary Politicians for Refusing to Honor ICE Detainer for Criminal Illegal Alien Truck Driver Who Killed American, Charged with Vehicular Homicide 12/16/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs DHS Slams Sanctuary Politicians for Refusing to Honor ICE Detainer for Criminal Illegal Alien Truck Driver Who Killed American, Charged with Vehicular Homicide This illegal alien entered the U.S. in 2023 near Lukeville, Arizona, and was released into this country by the Biden administration WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced Washington sanctuary politicians refused to honor a detainer for Kamalpreet Singh, a criminal illegal alien truck driver from India, who caused a fatal multi-vehicle crash. Instead of honoring the ICE arrest detainer, these politicians chose to release this public safety threat back onto America's roads. According to local reports, on December 11, Singh failed to decelerate, striking the rear of another vehicle, pushing it into a third vehicle. The vehicle Singh directly hit caught on fire and the driver, Robert Pearson, died on the scene. Two vehicles were totaled, and one was left with major damage. The roadway was blocked for nearly 7 hours following the crash. Singh illegally entered the U.S. in 2023 near Lukeville, Arizona, and was released into this country by the Biden administration. "These demented and dangerous sanctuary policies have deadly consequences," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "Robert Pearson would still be alive today if the Biden administration hadn't released this illegal alien into our country. How many more Americans have to be killed before Democrat politicians start to put the public's safety ahead of politics?" In recent months, we've seen a disturbing pattern of criminal illegal aliens driving commercial vehicles on American roads, directly threatening public safety and resulting in senseless loss of life. Earlier this month, ICE lodged a detainer for Juan Hernandez-Santos, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico who is accused of causing a wreck while driving an 18-wheeler that slammed into another vehicle, causing a six-car pile-up, including with a school bus, on the morning of December 4, 2025, in Lacey, Washington. Local authorities did not honor the ICE detainer due to sanctuary policies, and he was subsequently released from custody. In November, ICE lodged an arrest detainer for Rajinder Kumar, a criminal illegal alien from India charged with criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangering after he killed two people in Deschutes County, Oregon while driving a semi-truck. In August, ICE lodged an arrest detainer for a Harjinder Singh, a criminal illegal alien from India, following his arrest for three counts of vehicular homicide while driving a semi-truck in Florida. In August, ICE arrested Partap Singh, a criminal illegal alien from India, who caused a multi-car pileup while driving a commercial 18-wheeler in the sanctuary state of California. The accident left 5-year-old Dalilah Coleman with critical, life-altering injuries. In October, ICE lodged an arrest detainer for Jashanpreet Singh, a criminal illegal alien from India, who killed three people in California while driving an 18-wheeler under the influence. DHS law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423. # # # Illegal Alien Who Couldn't Speak English Causes Deadly Multi-Vehicle Pile Up in Tennessee under Biden-Era Work Authorization 12/17/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs Illegal Alien Who Couldn't Speak English Causes Deadly Multi-Vehicle Pile Up in Tennessee under Biden-Era Work Authorization Yet another avoidable tragedy caused by the Biden Administration and sanctuary policies WASHINGTON – Today the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced that an American was tragically killed due to a Chinese national with a commercial driver's license (CDL) who failed the English proficiency test after the crash. DHS has now confirmed the driver investigators say caused the crash, 54-year-old Yisong Huang, illegally entered the United States from Mexico in 2023. On Tuesday, December 9, Huang rear-ended a tractor-trailer on I-40 going westbound, causing a chain reaction that led to the death of one American, Kerry Smith, injuring 2 others. According to investigators, Huang was distracted by a video on his phone at the time of the crash. Fortunately, there were no passengers on Huang's bus at the time of the crash. The USDOT/Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been working closely with the State of Tennessee since this tragic incident occurred.  In 2023, Huang admitted to Border Patrol agents that he had entered the country unlawfully and was a citizen of China. Despite his admission of breaking the law, the Biden Administration released him into the country and provided him with both worth authorization papers and a social security card. Because the Biden Administration provided him with work papers, Huang was able to get a Class B CDL, leading to the deadly multi-vehicle pile-up in Tennessee last week. "Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semi-trucks and big rigs. And yet, sanctuary states around the country have been issuing illegal aliens commercial driver's licenses. The Trump Administration is ending the chaos," U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. "The brave men and women of ICE are working nonstop to get criminal illegal aliens out of our communities and off our roads." U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said in a statement, "It's not just that Joe Biden let millions of migrants flood into our country illegally. His administration doled out the documentation these unqualified foreigner drivers needed to obtain trucking licenses and operate 40-ton missiles on the highway. The fact that this individual failed a basic English test also calls into question how he even got the license in the first place. Working with Secretary Noem, we will continue to fight to keep you and your family safe on America's roadways." DHS and USDOT are protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423. # # # CCHT Chronicle: December 2025 12/17/2025   View as a webpage The Monthly Newsletter of the Center for Countering Human Trafficking December 2025 Real Safety Begins with Real Talk: Have a Conversation About Trafficking This Holiday Season As we gather with family and friends this month, our time together brings more than celebration. Moments of connection are an important chance to talk about human trafficking—what it looks like today, who it impacts, and how to spot the signs. Human trafficking can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or geography. It takes many forms, including forced labor or sex trafficking, and tragically, it can even occur within families. Familial trafficking is especially difficult to recognize, which makes informed conversations even more important. This season, the Blue Campaign encourages families to talk openly about trafficking, especially with youth. Our resources can help you understand the signs, approach the topic in age-appropriate ways, and create safe spaces for anyone who may need support. Here are some tips to get started: Talk early and often. Explain what trafficking is in language young people can understand. When kids feel informed, they're more likely to speak up.  Learn the warning signs. Sudden behavior changes, unexplained absences, or signs of control by someone else may indicate exploitation. Blue Campaign materials can guide you through what to look for. Build safe spaces. Create environments—holiday gatherings included—where questions and concerns can be shared without judgment. Use trusted information. Misinformation about trafficking is common. Get the facts! Visit our website for clear, evidence-based resources, videos, and printable guides.  Human trafficking thrives in silence. By bringing this issue into everyday conversation, you help build a culture of awareness and safety. This holiday season, commit to noticing the signs, supporting those who need help, and empowering your community with accurate information. Together, we can make this season safer for everyone. BLUE CAMPAIGN CORNER Sneak Peek: #WearBlueDay is January 11! January has historically been recognized as Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the CCHT invites you to join the national movement on January 11, 2026—#WearBlueDay. Blue is the international color of human trafficking awareness—so wear it, share it, and talk about it. On January 11, post a photo or video on your social channels using #WearBlueDay, and let people know why you're participating. Encourage friends, family, and coworkers to join in by wearing blue, sharing resources, and posting as well. This simple act can help break the silence, facilitate crucial conversations, and spread awareness nationwide. AT THE CENTER DOJ Announces Compensation Process for Victims Trafficked Through Backpage and CityXGuide The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a formal compensation process for individuals who were sex trafficked through advertisements posted on Backpage.com or CityXGuide.com. Eligible survivors may now petition for financial remission tied directly to the harm they experienced. On July 31, 2025, the United States Department of Justice announced the launch of the of a formal remission process to compensate victims whose trafficking was facilitated through the Backpage website. The press release cross-references the remission website, www.backpageremission.com. This marks the largest remission process to date to compensate victims of human trafficking. To qualify, applicants must show they were advertised as a sex-trafficking victim on Backpage between Jan. 1, 2004, and April 6, 2018, or on CityXGuide between April 8, 2018, and June 19, 2020. Importantly, victims do not need to pay any fees to participate in the remission program, and an attorney is not required to file a petition, though survivors may choose to have legal representation. The deadline to submit petitions is March 31, 2026. FROM THE FIELD On Nov. 14, a 38-year-old Honolulu man was sentenced to life in prison after a jury found him guilty in April of four counts of sex trafficking three adults and one minor, two counts of obstructing a sex trafficking investigation, seven counts of interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises, and one count of interstate travel for prostitution purposes. Additionally, the court ordered Isaiah McCoy to pay the victims $1,017,241.00 in restitution. "The sentencing of Mr. McCoy is a testament to HSI's zero tolerance for those who engage in sex trafficking in Hawaii," said HSI Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas. "McCoy is a predator who left countless victims in his path while he sought to enrich himself at their expense. HSI will aggressively pursue those, like McCoy, who seek to exploit vulnerable women and girls and mute their voices while believing they will not be held accountable." The evidence presented at the 12-day trial earlier this year showed that McCoy compelled victims to commit hundreds of commercial sex acts between 2019 and 2021. McCoy made promises of a romantic relationship, a luxurious lifestyle, and financial security to women and girls. McCoy's promises ended up false, designed to provide him with the opportunity to learn about a victim's vulnerabilities while misrepresenting himself as caring and empathetic. McCoy's feigned romantic interest and claimed wealth led him to emotionally manipulate his victims. After luring the victims with his false promises, McCoy turned violent and abusive if the victims did not provide him with enough money or otherwise violated one of his many rules. McCoy inflicted violence against multiple victims that caused them to seek treatment at local hospitals. All of McCoy's actions contributed to the creation of a climate of fear where the victims felt they had no way out because McCoy promised them that he had eyes and ears everywhere monitoring the victims' every move. McCoy required his victims to work all hours of the day and night even when they were sick or hungry. Afterwards, McCoy required the victims to turn over all the proceeds from his commercial sex business.  HSI investigated the case with assistance from the Honolulu Police Department. CONNECT WITH US:  @DHSBlueCampaign on X, Instagram and Facebook @DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking on LinkedIn ICE Arrests Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Pedophiles, Rapists and Violent Assailants 12/17/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs ICE Arrests Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Pedophiles, Rapists and Violent Assailants ICE is sending criminal illegal aliens home for the holidays WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of more worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from across the country, including those convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child, forcible rape, strangulation, and endangering the welfare of a child. "ICE law enforcement officers are sending criminal illegal aliens where they should have been all along – HOME for the holidays," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "Just yesterday, ICE arrested convicted pedophiles, rapists, and violent assailants. In a historic year of record-breaking achievements under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, DHS law enforcement arrested more than 605,000 illegal aliens—70% of ICE arrests have been charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. This is just the beginning." Yesterday's arrests include: Jose Oscar Marquez-Ayala, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child in Harris County, Texas. Marlon Ramirez-Medina, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted of forcible rape in Los Angeles, California. Esteban Silva-Garcia, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of strangulation - applying pressure to throat or neck, and endangering the welfare of a child in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Jose Garza, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Floresville, Texas. Arturo Rodriguez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of theft, possession of a controlled substance or paraphernalia in South Oroville, California. # # # New Orleans: Operation Catahoula Crunch Nabs Criminal Illegal Alien Drug Dealers, Hit-and-Run Criminals, and Domestic Abusers 12/18/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs New Orleans: Operation Catahoula Crunch Nabs Criminal Illegal Alien Drug Dealers, Hit-and-Run Criminals, and Domestic Abusers Since the December 3 launch of Operation Catahoula Crunch, DHS has made ~370 apprehensions WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens across the New Orleans, Louisiana area during Operation Catahoula Crunch. Since operations began on December 3, 2025, DHS has arrested about 370 illegal aliens. "While sanctuary city politicians have refused to do their job, DHS is making the New Orleans community safer as it continues to arrest illegal alien drug dealers, hit-and-run criminals, and one monster who was convicted for arson and threatening a person with intent to terrorize. I hope that sanctuary politicians will say thank you to the men and women who are putting their lives on the line to get these criminals off the streets," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "Secretary Noem has been VERY CLEAR: DHS does not pick and choose which laws we enforce and which we don't; under President Trump we are restoring law and order. No matter when and where, DHS will find, arrest, and deport ALL criminal illegal aliens." Below are some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens arrested over the weekend during Operation Catahoula Crunch: Juan Carlos Medina-Hernandez, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for manufacturing/distribution/possession of marijuana, possession of a schedule II-controlled substance, driving without a license, and obstruction of justice and previously arrested for manufacturing/distribution/possession of marijuana. Raul Cabrera-Perdomo, a previously removed criminal illegal alien from Honduras with an immigration warrant, convicted for illegal re-entry and previously arrested for careless operation of a vehicle and driving without a license. Victor Garcia-Ramirez, a twice-removed criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for illegal re-entry THREE times and previously arrested for assault and driving while intoxicated. Angel Rocha-Marquez, a twice-removed criminal illegal alien from Mexico and identified as the driver in a 2022 smuggling operation, convicted for illegal use of a weapon and previously arrested for domestic abuse battery and driving while intoxicated. Marlon Adolfo Jiron-Castro, a previously removed criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for threatening a crime with intent to terrorize, arson, burglary, possession of a control substance, and illegal entry and previously arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Alex Canu-Gonzalez, a previously removed criminal illegal alien from Guatemala with an active warrant out of Arlington, Virginia, convicted for illegal re-entry and previously arrested for driving without a license. Jorge Misael Galiego-Jeronimo, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, previously arrested for narcotics activity (manufacturing, selling, smuggling) and environmental crimes (clandestine landing, laboratories, cultivating) in his home country of Guatemala. Lydia Corrales Hernandez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, previously arrested for inflicting corporal injury on spouse. Filadelfo Sis-Rodriguez, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, previously arrested for driving while intoxicated and hit-and-run. Edras Natanael Berrios-Torres, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador issued an order of a removal in February 2025, previously arrested for driving while intoxicated, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving without a license. Dennis Jared Rios-Morales, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, previously arrested for manufacturing/distribution/possession of marijuana, driving without a license, and a traffic offense. Sergio Yobany Lopez-Mejia, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, previously arrested for hit- and-run and driving without a license. # # # DHS OFFERS EVEN GREATER TRANSPARENCY: Adds Another 5,000 Criminal Illegal Aliens to WOW.DHS.GOV 12/18/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs DHS OFFERS EVEN GREATER TRANSPARENCY: Adds Another 5,000 Criminal Illegal Aliens to WOW.DHS.GOV These 15,000 criminal illegal aliens are a mere fraction of the total criminal illegal aliens DHS has arrested over the last year WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a major update to its new critically-acclaimed "Worst of the Worst" website (wow.dhs.gov), adding another 5,000 criminal illegal aliens to the growing list of 15,000 and counting criminal illegal aliens found on WOW.dhs.gov. The webpage makes it easy for viewers to search based on location, and to see some of the criminal illegal aliens that have been arrested and removed from their communities thanks to President Donald Trump and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's leadership. Criminal histories of those listed includes terrorism, homicide, rape, kidnapping, robbery, and assault. This webpage will continue to be updated at regular intervals. "The new Worst of the Worst website is a valuable tool that lets Americans know which dangerous criminal illegal aliens the Trump Administration has removed from their communities," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "This new update represents just a small sample of the total number of arrests we've made – 70% of ICE arrests are of criminal illegal aliens that have been charge or convicted of a crime in the United States." Some of the latest examples, as seen on the website, include: Oscar Chan, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico and a member of the gang Surenos, arrested in Reno, Nevada. His convictions include rape with weapon, robbery, kidnapping, and kidnap to sexually assault. Florin Mozdrogan, a criminal illegal alien from Romania, arrested in Tucson, Arizona. His criminal convictions include terrorism, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), stolen property, and shoplifting. William Molina-Ochoa, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico and a member of the gang Surenos, arrested in Welch, West Virginia. His criminal convictions include aggravated assault, robbery, amphetamine possession, larceny, illegal reentry, drug possession, and synthetic narcotic possession. Luis Iglesias Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, arrested in Dallas, Texas, and with a final order of removal from October 26, 2021. His criminal convictions include homicide, larceny, assault, and aggravated assault – weapon. Wilfran Cruz Mejia, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, arrested in Plymouth, Massachusetts. His criminal convictions include homicide, possession stolen vehicle, cocaine – sell, larceny, aggravated assault – weapon, assault, aggravated assault – gun, and larceny – from auto. Alexandr Remorenko, a criminal illegal alien from Russia, arrested in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. His criminal convictions include rape, incest with minor, sex assault – sodomy, enticement of minor for indecent purposes, exploitation of a minor, aggravated assault, and contributing to delinquency of minor. Members of Congress from across the country have praised the new Worst of the Worst website, including: Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) # # # This Christmas, These Worst of Worst Murderers, Pedophiles and Violent Assailant Criminal Illegal Aliens Are Off American Streets 12/18/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs This Christmas, These Worst of Worst Murderers, Pedophiles, and Violent Assailant Criminal Illegal Aliens Are Off American Streets Americans can now see the heinous criminals ICE is removing from their communities by visiting wow.dhs.gov WASHINGTON –– U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of more worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from across the country, including those convicted of murder, rape of a child, and assault. "As families complete last minute Christmas preparations, they can feel a bit more holiday cheer knowing ICE is working around the clock to get the worst of the worst illegal aliens OUT of our communities," said a DHS Spokesperson. "Yesterday's arrests include criminal illegal aliens convicted for heinous crimes including murderers, pedophiles, and violent assailants. All Americans want for Christmas is criminal illegal aliens off their streets, and our law enforcement is delivering that gift for communities across our nation." Yesterday's arrests include: Southchay Chareunsack, a criminal illegal alien from Laos, convicted for murder, abuse of a corpse, armed robbery, narcotics violations, aggravated assault, firearms violations, and other weapons offenses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jorge Luis Pena, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, convicted for two counts of statutory rape of a child and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14-years-old in Boston, Massachusetts. Jose Martin Santiago, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for aggravated sexual assault of a child in Harris County, Texas. Carlos Fernandez-Rivera, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, convicted for homicide, assault, and a weapon offense in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Santos Roque Quinteros, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted for felony breaking and/or entering in Pitt County, North Carolina. # # # Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, the Department of Homeland Security Has Historic Year 12/19/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, the Department of Homeland Security Has Historic Year  Under Secretary Noem's leadership, DHS has delivered on President Trump's mandate to crack down on illegal immigration, thwart the flow of deadly drugs into our communities, revitalize the U.S. Coast Guard, and pave the way for a golden age of travel  WASHINGTON – Today, the United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) year-end accomplishments, celebrating one of the most consequential periods of action and reform in American history.   Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Noem, DHS is restoring the rule of law, delivering the most secure border ever, removing dangerous criminal illegal aliens, creating safer communities, strengthening cyber defense, fixing disaster response, launching initiatives that are reshaping American travel and national security, and making America safe for generations to come.   "In less than a year, President Trump has delivered some of the most historic and consequential achievements in presidential history—and this Administration is just getting started," Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. "Under President Trump's leadership, we are making America safe again and putting the American people first. In record-time we have secured the border, taken the fight to cartels, and arrested thousands upon thousands of criminal illegal aliens. Though 2025 was historic, we won't rest until the job is done."   In President Trump's first year back in office, more than 2.5 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. because of the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration, including an estimated 1.9 million self-deportations and more than 622,000 deportations.    Since President Trump took office, fentanyl trafficking at the southern border has been cut down by half compared to the same period in 2024. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) alone has seized enough cocaine to kill more than 177 million Americans.    Meanwhile, the Trump administration has saved taxpayers more than $13.2 billion at DHS and returned key agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Secret Service back to their core missions.    Countless lives have been saved, communities have been strengthened, and the American people have been put first again. These are only a few examples of DHS's accomplishments under Secretary Noem that have positioned the U.S. to enter a new era of national strength and a better future for all U.S. citizens.   Below are more examples of DHS's accomplishments since President Trump took office on January 20th, 2025:   Most Secure Border in American History   In a matter of weeks, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) delivered the most secure border in American history. It has stayed secure ever since. Now, the wins keep piling up:   Under President Trump and Secretary Noem:   Border crossings are down 93% year-over-year.    Illegal alien apprehensions at the southwest border are down to an average of 245 per day.   From May to November, seven consecutive months, the United States Border Patrol (USBP) released ZERO illegal aliens into the country.   Under the Trump administration, there have been 73,329 total apprehensions along the southwest border, which is 53% less than the monthly average of 155,485 during the Biden administration.     USBP nationwide apprehensions have averaged under 10,000 per month since President Trump took office – a level of sustained deterrence unmatched in modern border history.   Fiscal Year 2026 has seen the lowest start to a fiscal year ever - 60,940 total encounters nationwide in October and November – lower than any prior fiscal year to date.    CBP has seized 539,984 pounds of drugs—a nearly 10% increase compared to the same time frame in 2024.   CBP awarded more than $5 billion in new border wall contracts, funded by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, in record time. It also awarded a $37 billion acquisition vehicle to support this work to seal the border wall.   CBP led the deployment of more than 130,000 feet of temporary barriers, to include concertina wire, along with the Department of War and the State of Texas, to secure critical gaps.   CBP published 24 critical waivers, allowing the agency to cut through the bureaucratic red tape to expedite border wall construction.   Since January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration has significantly increased CBP hiring, with monthly averages showing a 42.5% increase in CBP officer new hires, and an 84% increase in Border Patrol agent new hires, compared to the same time period last year.   CBP implemented 41 Presidential Actions on trade, addressing illicit drugs, public safety threats, and critical imports.    CBP assessed over $190.7 billion in tariff revenue and $266.7 billion in total customs revenue.   CBP conducted 387 audits from January 20–November 7, 2025, identifying $1.43 billion in trade revenue and collecting $225 million.    CBP ended de minimis duty-free treatment on August 29, closing loopholes exploited for narcotics and contraband.    In August 2025, CBP created the National Targeting Center's Trade Fraud Targeting Cell to combat trade fraud schemes in support of current presidential actions.    Arresting and Removing the Worst of the Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens   Under Secretary Noem's leadership, DHS has arrested and deported hundreds of thousands of criminal illegal aliens across the country, including gang members, rapists, kidnappers, and drug traffickers, thanks to the brave men and women of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), CBP, and other law enforcement immigration enforcement agencies. Seventy percent of those arrested by ICE are criminal illegal aliens who have been charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S.   DHS has removed more than 622,000 illegal aliens and 1.9 million illegal aliens have self-deported.   And, nationwide, ICE, CBP, and other immigration law enforcement are targeting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens for arrest and deportation through targeted enforcement operations in cities throughout the country:   Operation Midway Blitz was launched in Chicago and the Midwest in honor of Katie Abraham, who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run car wreck caused by a criminal illegal alien.    Operation Midway Blitz has resulted in the arrest of more than 4,500 illegal aliens.    In the Minneapolis area, DHS has arrested more than 670 as part of "Operation Metro Surge."   In Florida, Operation Criminal Return, AKA "Operation Dirtbag," has led to the arrests of more than 220 illegal aliens, including more than 150 sex offenders.   In Massachusetts, Operations Patriot 1.0 and Patriot 2.0 have resulted in over 2,860 arrests.   In New Orleans, Operation Catahoula Crunch has resulted in the arrest of approximately 370 illegal aliens since early December.   In Los Angeles, more than 10,000 illegal aliens have been arrested.   In Portland, Oregon, Operation Black Rose has resulted in the arrests of more than 1,240 illegal aliens to date.   DHS has also empowered state and local law enforcement to get criminal illegal aliens off our streets.    DHS secured more than 1,255 signed agreements with state and local partnerships under Immigration and Nationality Act Section 287(g).   Operation Tidal Wave, the first-of-its-kind 287(g) enforcement operation coordinated with state and federal law enforcement partners, resulted in 1,100 arrests in six days.   Thanks to the 287(g) program, DHS partnered with the State of Florida on Alligator Alcatraz, the State of Indiana on the Speedway Slammer, the state of Nebraska on Cornhusker Clink, and the State of Louisiana on Louisiana Lockup to expand detention space by the thousands.    DHS also launched the critically acclaimed, groundbreaking new web page, "Worst of the Worst" (wow.dhs.gov), which allows visitors to search through some of the hundreds of thousands of criminal illegal aliens arrested during enforcement operations since the start of the Trump administration.    DHS Smashes Recruitment Records   Launched Defend the Homeland; a historic nationwide campaign aimed at recruiting Americans to join ICE and help President Trump and Secretary Noem remove criminal illegal aliens.    Since the campaign took off, ICE has received more than 220,000 applications.   ICE is on target to hire 10,000 new officers by the end of 2025. Some of these new officers are already on the job.   Since January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration has significantly increased the velocity and volume of CBP hiring, with monthly averages showing a 42.5% increase in CBP officer (CBPO) new hires, and an 84% increase in Border Patrol Agent (BPA) new hires, compared to the same time period last year.   USCIS has begun recruiting new "Homeland Defenders," who will better support the agency's mission and bolster efforts to combat fraud and other threats.    Since launching the hiring campaign on September 30, USCIS has received more than 50,000 applications — the highest in agency history. The first Homeland Defenders began reporting for duty in early December 2025.   Since January 20, United States Secret Service received over 91,000 applications to join its ranks.   That is a 46% increase over the same period in 2024.   In Fiscal Year 2025, the Coast Guard surpassed its recruiting goals with 121% of its target for the fiscal year, totaling 5,204 new members – the highest since 1991.   DHS Locates Biden's Missing Children   Under President Trump, DHS and Department of Health and Human Services have located more than 129,143 unaccompanied children that the Biden Administration lost.   Secretary Noem Reopens Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office   President Trump and Secretary Noem reopened the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office so that Americans harmed by illegal alien crime have a voice in the government and a place to turn to for help. Shockingly, the Biden administration closed this office.   Fixing Our Immigration System so that the American People Come First   United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is restoring integrity to our nation's immigration policies and has instituted dynamic changes to ensure that only individuals who love America, align with our culture, and share our values, are welcomed into the country.    USCIS made history with its fraud investigation, Operation Twin Shield, the agency's largest enforcement operation to date.    Launched in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, USCIS focused on more than 1,000 cases that had fraud or ineligibility indicators, attempted over 2,000 site visits to homes and workplaces, and completed nearly 1,500 in-person interviews with aliens during the operation.    USCIS found evidence of fraud, non-compliance with immigration law, or public safety or national security concerns in more than 500 of cases.   Operation Twin Shield has so far led to the denial of immigration benefits, the issuance of numerous Notices to Appear, and nearly a dozen arrests by ICE.    Within hours of the November 26 attack where an Afghan national murdered one National Guard member and severely wounded another, USCIS slammed the doors shut on asylum processing for aliens from every country, implemented a full-scale reexamination of every Green Card for aliens from every presidentially designated high-risk country, and placed a hold on the processing of immigration applications and petitions for all Afghan nationals and aliens from 19 high-risk countries of concern.   USCIS has also revamped U.S. immigration policy that had been weakened and lobotomized by previous administrations to realign it with American values, issuing policy guidance emphasizing that there is no room in America for aliens who espouse anti-American ideologies or support terrorist organizations.   Since January 20, USCIS has referred more than 14,400 aliens to ICE for public safety, national security, and fraud concerns, including 182 aliens who were confirmed or suspected to be national security risks.   Since January 20, the agency has been actively collaborating with other agencies on immigration enforcement and public safety efforts, resulting in more than 2,400 arrests at USCIS field offices.    Under an updated policy confirming USCIS' role as an immigration enforcement agency, the agency's officers are once again empowered to enforce immigration law by issuing Notices to Appear (NTAs).    Since January 20, USCIS officers have issued approximately 196,600 NTAs to place aliens in removal proceedings.   Since January 20, USCIS officers have made over 29,000 fraud referrals to the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) Directorate.   FDNS has completed investigations on more than 19,300 fraud cases and identified fraud in 65% of them.   The agency has also strengthened policy guidance to ensure there is no legal defense for a false claim of U.S. citizenship.   In a pivotal move to protect American workers, USCIS changed regulation to ensure that aliens will no longer receive an automatic extension of their employment authorization when seeking renewal in certain employment authorization categories.    The agency also reduced the maximum validity period for certain employment authorization documents from 5 years to 18 months to ensure more frequent vetting and screening of aliens.    USCIS is advancing the administration's goal of ending the abuse and exploitation in certain immigration programs.    This includes stopping broad abuse of humanitarian parole authority and terminating the family reunification and the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) parole programs.   DHS is returning parole to a case-by-case basis as intended by Congress after the Biden Administration abused Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to flood our country with hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals.   Secretary Noem ended TPS for Afghanistan, Burma, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, South Sudan, Syria, and Venezuela, and issued orders for these foreign nationals to self-deport.   On September 17, USCIS announced a revised version of the citizenship test that expanded the question bank from 100 to 128 questions, increased the number of questions on each test from 10 to 20, raised the passing score from 6 to 12 correct responses, and revised the questions to ensure the test provides a more meaningful assessment of the alien's knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government.    USCIS launched enhancements to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) service that allow states to verify citizenship using the last four digits of Social Security numbers and run queries in bulk at no charge. This enhancement has provided federal officers and employees with a critical tool to verify legal status at a moment's notice.   DHS proposed a rule on November 19 to rescind the 2022 Public Charge final rule and restore USCIS' discretion when making a determination on whether an alien seeking legal status in the United States would become reliant on government assistance. Our nation will no longer import foreign nationals who will become a drain on the American taxpayer.   Ushering in the Golden Age of Travel   The Transportation Security Administration is ushering in the Golden Age of Travel.    Under President Trump and Secretary Noem:   TSA ended the Obama-era "Quiet Skies" program, which was used to spy on Americans, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, as well as members of Congress.    TSA launched the "Shoes On" Campaign, allowing travelers to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints.   TSA successfully implemented REAL ID on May 7th and achieved 94% compliance, which continues to steadily increase.   TSA launched two targeted campaigns including the "Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease" campaign and the "Families on the Fly" campaign, and the first-ever TSA PreCheck Buy One, Get One Discounted offer.   TSA initiated historic hospitality training for the TSA workforce to improve customer experience.   TSA kept wait times at an average of 3 minutes for PreCheck and 5-6 minutes in standard, far below operational limits during the 43-day long shutdown.   Secretary Noem awarded $10,000 bonuses to TSA officers and personnel who displayed exemplary service, overcame hardships, and displayed the utmost patriotism during the Democrat shutdown.   Securing the High Seas, Defending Our Maritime Borders, And Saving American Lives    The U.S. Coast Guard is smashing records and being revitalized into one of the world's most elite fighting forces that can meet the challenges of the 21st century.      Since January 2025, Coast Guard seizures of illegal narcotics are up 200%.    Since January 20th, the U.S. Coast Guard seized nearly 470,000 pounds of cocaine — enough to kill up to 177 million Americans at a 1.2g lethal dose.    Interdictions, deterrence events, and transportation of illegal aliens are up 120%.    In July, during catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country, the Coast Guard's immediate response helped save countless American lives.    Rescue Swimmer Scott Ruskan and his aircrew coordinated the rescue of 169 people.    In August, the Coast Guard launched Operation Pacific Viper, surging forces to the Eastern Pacific to stop the cartels and criminal organizations—interdicting drugs and illegal aliens before they reach American shores.       Coast Guard crews seized over 100,000 pounds of illegal narcotics, averaging approximately 1,600 pounds of cocaine interdicted daily.     Operation Pacific Viper yielded the Coast Guard's largest-ever drug offload in its history.   The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Hamilton offloaded over 76,000 pounds of illegal drugs, valued at $473 million, at Port Everglades, which included approximately 61,740 pounds of cocaine and approximately 14,400 pounds of marijuana.   During Operation Pacific Viper, USCGC Stone offloaded approximately 49,010 pounds of illicit narcotics worth more than $362 million at Port Everglades, Florida.      This offload marks the largest amount of cocaine seized by a single cutter in one patrol in Coast Guard history.     On December 2nd, USCGC Munro seized over 20,000 pounds of cocaine in a single interdiction.     This was the Coast Guard's largest at-sea interdiction since March 2007.  During Operation Pacific Viper, the Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) conducted its 1,000th counter-narcotics interdiction, successfully using airborne use of force to disable a narco-smuggling vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.    In October, the Coast Guard launched Operation River Wall to control, secure, and defend approximately 260 miles of the Rio Grande River by deploying response boats and shallow watercraft, command and control assets, and tactical teams to the region.    In August, the Coast Guard commissioned USCGC Storis, the Coast Guard's first polar icebreaker commissioned in over 25 years.     Restoring Excellence at Secret Service   The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) is getting back on track. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, only the best of the best will be allowed to serve.   Since January 20th:    Secret Service has supported approximately 6,524 protective visits both domestically and overseas for 38 full-time protectees.   Secret Service successfully developed and executed the security plan for four National Special Security Events:    The 2025 Inauguration of President Trump, President Trump's Address to a Joint Session of Congress, the 2025 UN General Assembly (UNGA, 80th Session), and the Army's 250th Birthday Celebration.   Secret Service provided Presidential protection during multiple major events, including:   Super Bowl LIX (New Orleans, LA), Daytona 500 (Daytona Beach, FL), Charlie Kirk's Funeral (Glendale, AZ), Ryder Cup (Farmingdale, NY), Washington Commanders Game (Salute to Service) (Landover, MD), and the 126th Army-Navy Game (Baltimore, MD).   The National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) continues to advance their mission of violence prevention. In 2025, the NTAC delivered more than 364 trainings and briefings to more than 56,713 participants – both the highest calendar year totals in NTAC history. NTAC training recipients included law enforcement agencies, schools, mental health providers, faith-based organizations, government agencies, and private sector entities.   Secret Service completed 21 anti-card skimming and electronic benefits transfer fraud outreach operations in various locations around the United States. These outreach operations prevented an estimated $407 million in fraud loss.   Secret Service launched the agency's new Advanced Threat Interdiction Unit (ATIU). The ATIU provided advanced threat detection and mitigation capabilities for evolving threats and the USSS protective mission nexus.   Ending the Censorship of Americans and Defending our Critical Infrastructure   Under Biden, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) was used to censor and target Americans. It was shameful, wrong, and unconstitutional. Now, thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem:   CISA is back on-mission and focused on doing its job: Protecting critical infrastructure from cyber and physical threats.   CISA personnel are deployed across 10 regions in support of all 56 states/territories and are actively working with local, federal, and international partners to identify emerging threats and issue alerts, advisories or provide guidance to mitigate these threats.   CISA has issued three emergency directives to mitigate vulnerabilities and ensure strong cyber defenses across the federal government ecosystem.    CISA has co-sealed 37 joint cybersecurity advisories that continually demonstrate operational collaboration in action.   CISA continues to equip cyber defenders with essential tools to secure their systems including the Eviction Strategies Tool, a no-cost resource for incident response, and Thorium, an automated, scalable platform for malware and forensic analysis.   On August 1, CISA and FEMA announced the availability of over $100 million in cybersecurity grant funding to strengthen state, local, and tribal government community cybersecurity.   In September, CISA released CISA Strategic Focus: CVE Quality for a Cyber Secure Future, a roadmap outlining key priorities to enhance the CVE quality and better serve the global cybersecurity community.   CISA launched the new Industry Engagement Platform (IEP) designed to facilitate two-way communication between the agency and companies developing innovative and security technologies.   CISA has issued more than 1,000 pre-ransomware notifications and cataloged 220 known exploited vulnerabilities.   CISA added 38 Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEVs) to the national catalog, enabling faster remediation across public and private sectors.   Executed Emergency Directives to address zero-day vulnerabilities in F5 devices and Cisco Adaptive Security Appliances (ASA) which were exploited by nation-state Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). This resulted in thousands of federal devices or public-facing devices being patched and secured.   Published the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Detection Technology Guide to support critical infrastructure operators address increasing drone threats in support of Executive Order 14305 on airspace sovereignty.   Supported 19 pre–World Cup 2026 exercises to ensure operational readiness.    Improved data ingestion tools, saving $6.5 million annually while enhancing speed and scalability.   Deployed automated communication for the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC), expanding real-time communications to more than 20,000 state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) partners.   Fixing Disaster Response to Streamline Resources to Communities in Need, Cutting Off Illegal Aliens    For decades, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was bloated by waste, fraud, and abuse. Now, under President Trump and Secretary Noem, FEMA is being transformed, empowering disaster response that is federally supported, state led, and locally executed:   At Secretary Noem's direction, FEMA has conducted a critical evaluation of all grant programs and recipients to root out waste, fraud, and abuse and deliver accountability for the American taxpayer.   FEMA returned nearly $3.5 billion to American communities for emergency preparedness.   Under Secretary Noem's leadership, recipients of FEMA grants are no longer permitted to use federal funds to house illegal aliens at luxury hotels, fund climate change pet projects, or empower radical organizations with unseemly ties that don't serve the interest of the American people.   In February, Secretary Noem fired four FEMA workers who attempted to send $59 million in funding to the notorious "Roosevelt Hotel" to continue paying for housing illegal aliens.   Following President Trump's emergency declaration for New Mexico's June 2025 storms and flooding, FEMA rapidly deployed Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) capabilities to support state and local operations.   FEMA's search and rescue team seamlessly integrated into state-led efforts, working to locate and assist individuals who were in danger due to flooding and landslides, helping to protect lives and stabilize affected communities.   In response to the flooding in Texas in July, DHS and FEMA delivered one of the fastest, most coordinated federal disaster responses in Texas history – approving a major disaster declaration within hours, deploying FEMA staff and incident support teams within five hours, deploying US&R within 24 hours, and surging Coast Guard water rescue assets to the impacted areas, saving hundreds of lives.    Governor Abbott called FEMA an "exceptional" partner and praised the response as the fastest and most coordinated he has seen, as FEMA rapidly fulfilled all state requests to support life-saving operations and recovery efforts.   In October, following the severe flooding in Alaska, Secretary Noem approved $1 million in expedited FEMA Public Assistance funding to Alaska, providing immediate resources to stabilize dangerous conditions and support critical storm recovery operations.   President Trump and Secretary Noem approved $59 million in expedited FEMA Public Assistance funding to support Missouri's tornado recovery, focusing on debris removal and demolition of tornado-damaged properties in St. Louis.   This funding accelerated overall recovery efforts – enabling the state of Missouri to lead this effort with technical support from FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).   FEMA implemented Rapid Assessment with Public Infrastructure Data (RAPID), an accelerated approach to Public Assistance grant formulation that helps states get the funds they need to rebuild infrastructure at historic speeds.   With RAPID, FEMA uses geospatial data and publicly available information to develop cost estimates for facilities that are damaged beyond repair instead of traditional site inspections. This significantly reduces the burden on applicants and accelerates the availability of grant assistance.    Since national implementation in July, RAPID has been used in 105 infrastructure recovery projects representing more than $374 million in recovery funding.    This streamlined approach cut program processing time from an average of 396 days to 135 days – and, in some cases, achieving unprecedented permanent work obligations in as few as 47 days.    FEMA modernized how the agency interacts with disaster survivors – with improvements to the online application on DisasterAssistance.gov, clearer letters, and short explanation videos that walk people through the process step by step. These improvements included:     A new application status tracker that visually shows and describes where survivors are in the application process. Survivors no longer need to solely rely on the FEMA Helpline to get updates on the status of their application – cutting down on calls to the Helpline.    Guided videos to help inform survivors on what to expect during and after they complete an application for disaster assistance.    In alignment with President Trump's Executive Order to modernize federal payments, FEMA partnered with the U.S. Treasury to provide new options for survivors to receive their disaster assistance money faster and more securely.    In 2025, FEMA launched the Direct-to-Consumer Flood Insurance Quoting Tool to expand ways that people can access flood insurance quotes.   DHS is just getting started under President Donald Trump and Secretary Noem. The best is yet to come.    # # # ICE's Christmas Gift to Americans: The Arrests of Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Members of a Theft Gang, Bank Robbers, and Kidnappers 12/19/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs ICE's Christmas Gift to Americans: The Arrests of Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Members of a Theft Gang, Bank Robbers, and Kidnappers This holiday season, ICE is working around the clock to ensure silent nights and safer streets WASHINGTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of more worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from across the country convicted for vicious crimes including burglary, bank robbery, and aggravated kidnapping. "Violent criminal illegal aliens who break our laws have absolutely no business remaining in the United States," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "Yesterday's arrests include criminal illegal aliens convicted for burglary, bank robbery, and kidnapping. We are thankful for our law enforcement who delivered the best Christmas gift for American families this holiday season: safer communities." Yesterday's arrests also include: Jessupe Sandino Berraza-Rivera, a criminal illegal alien from Chile and a member of the transnational organized crime enterprise the South American Theft Group, convicted for burglary in Santa Ana, California. Luis Enrique Castaneda-Reyes, a criminal illegal alien from Colombia, with TEN criminal convictions including bank robbery by force and violent crimes involving drugs and a machine gun in the U.S. District Court for New Jersey. Elidelfo Castro-Nava, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury in the 3rd degree in Salt Lake County, Utah. Juan Emerson Gomez-Sorto, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted for aggravated assault in Price, Utah. Jesser Sandoval-Cruz, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for assault of a family household member after a previous conviction in Harris County, Texas. # # # DHS Calls on Fairfax County Politicians to Honor ICE Detainer for Criminal Illegal Alien Previously Released Because of Their Sanctuary Policies Who Went on to Commit Murder the Next Day 12/19/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs DHS Calls on Fairfax County Politicians to Honor ICE Detainer for Criminal Illegal Alien Previously Released Because of Their Sanctuary Policies Who Went on to Commit Murder the Next Day In 2022, the Biden administration dismissed his immigration proceedings and marked him as a non-enforcement priority WASHINGTON –– The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) vehemently condemns Fairfax County's sanctuary policies after Marvin Fernando Morales-Ortez, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, brutally murdered a resident inside his home in Reston, Virginia, just ONE DAY after sanctuary politicians REFUSED to honor the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest detainer and RELEASED him from jail. Following his arrest for assault and brandishing a firearm, ICE immediately lodged an arrest detainer on September 14, 2025. Fairfax sanctuary politicians REFUSED to honor it and instead RELEASED this criminal illegal alien back into Virginia neighborhoods. This serial criminal has prior arrests for aggravated assault of a police officer, larceny, and disorderly conduct. He illegally entered the United States September 18, 2016, with his mother near Hidalgo, Texas. Morales-Ortez was released into the country by the Obama administration. In 2022, the Biden administration dismissed his immigration proceedings and marked him as a non-enforcement priority. On December 17, 2025, police responded to a residence in Reston, Virginia after Morales-Ortez allegedly shot and killed a man inside. According to local reports, he fled the scene and caused a several hours-long manhunt placing nearby schools into lockdown. Morales-Ortez was eventually apprehended and charged with second-degree murder and firearms charges. "There is blood on the hands of Fairfax County politicians for pushing policies that released this illegal alien from jail and onto the streets of Virginia. Fairfax County refused to honor ICE's detainer and release him into their custody. Just hours after being released from jail, he committed murder in cold blood. Sanctuary policies have deadly consequences. We pray for the victim and his family," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. DHS law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423. # # # ICE Lodges Detainer for Criminal Illegal Alien Charged with Strangling Cab Driver to Death in New York 12/20/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs ICE Lodges Detainer for Criminal Illegal Alien Charged with Strangling Cab Driver to Death in New York The Obama administration released this criminal illegal alien who now faces charges for homicide and robbery into our communities WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an arrest detainer for Santos Paulino Vasquez-Ramirez, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala charged for homicide and robbery after he strangled a taxicab driver to death in Brewster, New York over a dispute over a fare on December 1, 2025.   The victim, Aurelio Zhunio-Orbez, body was found on December 7 floating in the Croton Falls Reservoir.   Aurelio Zhunio-Orbez “Santos Vasquez Ramirez should’ve never been in our country in the first place and provided the opportunity to gruesomely take the life of Aurelio Zhunio-Orbez," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Open border policies have deadly consequences. ICE lodged an arrest detainer with local authorities to ensure this criminal illegal alien is never allowed back into American neighborhoods. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE is targeting the worst of the worst.”   Santos Vasquez Ramirez Santos Vasquez Ramirez entered the U.S. illegally in October 2013 and was released into the country by the Obama administration. An immigration judge issued him a final order of removal on January 22, 2016.  DHS law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423.  # # # INCREASED INCENTIVES: DHS Now Offering $3K Holiday Stipend Through End of The Year Via the CBP Home App for Illegal Aliens to Leave Now  12/22/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs INCREASED INCENTIVES: DHS Now Offering $3K Holiday Stipend Through End of The Year Via the CBP Home App for Illegal Aliens to Leave Now  Those in the U.S. illegally will receive the $3K stipend and a free flight home if they sign up to self-deport through the CBP Home app by the end of the year WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security is continuing to deliver this holiday season on its promise to help illegal aliens in the United States return home.   Illegal aliens who sign up to self-deport through the CBP Home app by the end of the year will receive a $3,000 stipend in addition to a free flight home. Using the CBP Home app also qualifies recipients for forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties for failing to depart the country.   "Since January 2025, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home program. During the Christmas Season, the U.S. taxpayer is so generously TRIPLING the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally- offering a $3,000 exit bonus, but just until the end of the year," said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. "Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don't, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return."    Self-deportation through the CBP Home app is the best gift that an illegal alien can give themselves and their families this holiday season. It's a fast, free, and easy process: Just download the app, fill out your information, and DHS will take care of the rest – including arranging and paying for your travel back home.  Those illegal aliens who don't take advantage of this special offer today have only one alternative: They will be arrested, deported, and they will never be able to return to the United States.  # # # While Americans Enjoy Christmas Celebrations and Last-Minute Holiday Preparations, ICE Law Enforcement Was Hard at Work Arresting the Worst of the Worst Including Gang Members, Pedophiles, and Attempted Murderers 12/22/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs While Americans Enjoy Christmas Celebrations and Last-Minute Holiday Preparations, ICE Law Enforcement Was Hard at Work Arresting the Worst of the Worst Including Gang Members, Pedophiles, and Attempted Murderers If you are in the United States illegally, self-deport via the CBP Home app before December 31, 2025, and receive a $3,000 stipend and a free flight home for the holidays WASHINGTON –– U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to deliver on its promise this Christmas season to make America safe again and remove the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from our communities. While many Americans began wrapping presents and preparing for the joyous holy holiday, ICE was hard at work arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens convicted of horrific crimes including lewd and lascivious acts with child, child neglect, obscene communication, and attempted murder. "While many Americans began celebrating Christmas with their families and loved ones this weekend, ICE arrested gang members, child pedophiles, abusers, and an attempted murderer. All year long, our law enforcement officers worked around-the-clock, including weekends and holidays, to arrest the worst of the worst. We are thankful for our law enforcement who delivered the best Christmas gift for American families this holiday season: safer communities," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. Arrests over the weekend include: Juan Jesus Acosta-Gutierrez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico and Surenos-13 gang member, convicted for lewd and lascivious acts with child under 14 by force or fear in San Bernardino, California. Udit Mehra, a criminal illegal alien from India, convicted for cruelty toward child, obscene communication in Seminole, Florida. That Xiong, a criminal illegal alien from Laos, convicted for attempted murder and discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle in Sacramento, California. Juan Carlos Marrufo-Flores, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for aggravated sexual assault of a child in Atascosa County, Texas. David Cerna-Calderon, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for assault causing bodily injury to a family member in the Bexar County, Texas. Yesenia Martinez-Gonzalez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for child neglect, resisting arrest, and driving while intoxicated in Texas. Jose Dante Ortiz-Alvalardo, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for second degree force sex offense in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Edwin Ismael-Hernandez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for evading a peace officer/disregarding safety, hit-and-run, willful harm of a peace officer horse/dog, and vehicle theft in Los Angeles, California. David Abraham Hernandez-Velez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for assault of a public servant in Brazoria County, Texas. Jerson Poveda-Delgado, a criminal illegal alien from Colombia, convicted for battery against a public safety official in Indianapolis, Indiana. Daniel Emony, a criminal illegal alien from Democratic Republic of the Congo, convicted for false statements, aggravated identity theft, and perjury in Alexandria, Virginia. Carlos Martinez-Melendez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for robbery in Austin, Texas. Justo Perez-Escobar, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for unlawful possession weapon – handgun in Gloucester Township, New Jersey. Isaias Alvarado-Arellano, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in the United States District Court of Oregon. Rudy Gonzalez, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, convicted for racketeering/conspire in Miami, Florida. # # # ICE Arrests More Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens During Christmas Week Including Sexual Abusers, Violent Assailants, and Human Traffickers 12/23/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs ICE Arrests More Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens During Christmas Week Including Sexual Abusers, Violent Assailants, and Human Traffickers Illegal aliens can receive a $3,000 stipend and free flight home to self-deport via the CBP Home app before December 31, 2025 WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is delivering a safer nation for all American citizens this Christmas season. ICE announced the arrest of more worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from across the country, including those convicted of felony sexual battery, assault, and alien smuggling. "This Christmas season, Americans can rejoice that these criminal illegal aliens are off their streets," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "Just yesterday, ICE arrested convicted sex abusers, violent assailants, and human traffickers. Our ICE law enforcement delivered the best gift for all Americans this year: safer neighborhoods." Yesterday's arrests include: Armando Meza-Arango, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of burglary habitation intend sex offense and indecent exposure in Sterling County, Texas. Jesus Bautista-Mendiola, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of felony sexual battery in Columbus, Ohio. Jovanne Heath, a criminal illegal alien from Jamaica, convicted of robbery and assault in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Agustin Perez-Otero, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death, and felony possession of a controlled substance: methamphetamine, in Kuna, Idaho. Ismael Arroyo, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of alien smuggling and possession with intent to distribute marijuana in Laredo, Texas. # # # DHS Unveils 2025 Worst of the Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Arrested by DHS Law Enforcement 12/23/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs DHS Unveils 2025 Worst of the Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Arrested by DHS Law Enforcement 70% of all ICE arrests are of illegal aliens convicted or charged with a crime in the U.S. WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) highlighted some of the worst of the worst criminals arrested by our brave DHS law enforcement this year.  For the last 11 months, the men and women of ICE have been under constant attack by sanctuary politicians, radical activists, and mainstream media lies. They have risked their lives and safety to remove murderers, rapists, gang members, drug traffickers, pedophiles, and terrorists from American communities. "Americans can be proud of DHS law enforcement who worked around the clock this year to remove the worst of the worst from American neighborhoods. Our law enforcement has put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and terrorists," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, criminals are not welcome in the U.S. If you come to our country and break our laws, we will find you, arrest you, and deport you." Here are some of the worst examples of criminal illegal aliens arrested over the course of the year: Olvin Rodriguez-Inestroza, a sexual predator and illegal alien from Honduras, whose criminal history includes active warrants for 394 counts of pornography involving juveniles and 2 counts of sexual abuse of an animal. Diego Barron-Esquivel, a violent criminal illegal alien from Mexico, who had been constantly harassing his spouse. His criminal history includes arrests for multiple counts of domestic battery, multiple counts of violation of protection order, criminal damage to property, aggravated robbery, felony theft, transporting an open container, criminal restraint, possession of drug paraphernalia, and improper use of an automobile. In December, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for one count of forcible assault on a federal officer, after he violently punched an ICE officer and attempted to strangle the officer with his own badge cord. Jaan Shah Safi, an Afghan national who entered the United States under Joe Biden's "Operation Allies Welcome." He provided support to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-Khorasan (ISIS-K), and his father is a commander of a militia group in Afghanistan. He was arrested in Waynesboro, Virginia in December. Gerson Emir Cuadra Soto, an illegal alien from Honduras and a leader of MS-13 also known as "Fantasma," wanted in his home country for a quadruple homicide. He is allegedly a member of an assassination squad in Honduras. After being charged with firearms charges in Honduras in 2022, he allegedly bribed his way out of jail, and then illegally entered the United States the same year. Jose Alfredo Uzeta, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, who operated a dental clinic and performed dental procedures on patients despite not having a valid license for more than 20 years. His clinic was uncovered after one of his former patients reported that he inappropriately touched and groped her during a procedure. He was convicted of dentistry act violation and indecent assault in Harris County, Texas. Rafael Alberto Cadena-Sosa, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, who participated in a sex-trafficking ring in Miami, Florida. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Cadena and his family members ran a sex-trafficking operation where they would approach women and girls – some as young as 14 – in Veracruz, Mexico, and lure them to the United States under false promises of jobs. After smuggling them into the U.S., Cadena and his family members imposed a smuggling debt and used brutal physical force and violence, sexual assaults, and threats of death and bodily harm to their victims and their families to compel the victims to engage in prostitution 12 hours a day, six days a week. Cadena accepted a plea deal and was convicted of involuntary servitude in 2015. He was arrested by ICE Los Angeles in San Pedro, California. Antonio Israel Lazo-Quintanilla, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador and a confirmed member of the 18th Street Gang, a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). He is wanted in El Salvador for aggravated homicide, extortion, possession of drugs, and a litany of other felonies, and he was on El Salvador's most wanted gang members' list. He was arrested by ICE in March. Walter Leonel Perez Rodriguez, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, whose criminal history includes convictions for sexual assault of a child under 17-years-old, multiple DUIs, child fondling, and illegally re-entering the United States. When ICE conducted an enforcement operation in November to arrest Rodriguez, he brutally beat an ICE officer with a metal coffee cup, causing a severe laceration to the officer's mouth and burns to the officer's face. Thao Van Cao, a criminal illegal alien from Vietnam and confirmed member of the Asian Cheap Boy criminal gang, convicted 25 times for crimes including flight to avoid prosecution, possession-controlled substance, second degree robbery, cruelty toward the elderly, arson property, take vehicle without consent, and theft in California. Aldrin Guerrero-Munoz, a criminal illegal alien in Minneapolis, Minnesota who was sentenced in 2004 to 32 years in prison for the intentional murder of his 3-month-old son. While incarcerated, he was convicted for assaulting a fellow inmate at Stillwater Prison. ICE lodged a detainer and received custody of him on October 20, 2025, to finally remove him from the country. Jung Choi, a criminal illegal alien from South Korea, who was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 11 years in prison. In 2017, Choi and a male companion, Sang Ji, murdered Ji's wife Yoon "Clara Ji" and buried her body in a ravine near San Juan Batista, California. Jonatan Monzon-Olivares, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, with 38 prior arrests and 15 convictions, including sexual assault, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, possession of stolen property, and obstructing justice. Alejandro Lima-Ramirez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico and member of the Florencia 13 Street gang. His criminal history includes 24 arrests and 16 convictions, including drug trafficking, robbery, fraud, and carrying a concealed weapon. Michael Kabiona, a criminal illegal alien from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who was convicted in 2015 for sexual conduct against a child. According to the Erie County, New York Prosecutors Office, he "repeatedly raped and sodomized his stepdaughter over a two-year period, starting when she was just 9 years old." Pedro Luis Ortiz-Mendez (left) and Jose Vicente Ortiz-Mendez (right), criminal illegal alien brothers from Mexico, wanted for multiple murders in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The murders occurred on May 24, 2024, at a patron saint festival – at least one victim was shot, and another was attacked with a machete. Yehia Elham Badawi, a 48-year-old criminal illegal alien from Egypt with an extensive rap sheet including robbery, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, criminal attempt, criminal conspiracy, possession of an instrument with criminal intent, simple assault, theft by unlawful taking, and receiving stolen property, stemming from a 1994 shootout that left a Philadelphia police officer seriously wounded. # # # Making America Safe Again: DHS Arrests 17,500 Criminal Illegal Aliens with Laken Riley Act Crimes 12/24/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs Making America Safe Again: DHS Arrests 17,500 Criminal Illegal Aliens with Laken Riley Act Crimes The Laken Riley Act is named after a Georgia nursing student who was killed by a Venezuelan illegal alien and member of the terrorist criminal gang Tren de Aragua, who was previously arrested and released into the U.S. by the Biden Administration, re-arrested in the interior, and released again by sanctuary policies into U.S. communities, before committing the heinous murder of Laken WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, more than 17,500 criminal illegal aliens were arrested and detained with Laken Riley Act crimes. The Laken Riley Act, the first piece of legislation signed by President Trump, mandates the federal detention of illegal aliens who are accused of theft, burglary, assaulting a law enforcement officer, and any crime that causes death or serious bodily injury. The law is named after a Georgia nursing student who was killed by an illegal alien from Venezuela and member of the Tren de Aragua, who was previously arrested and released into the U.S. under the Biden administration in September 2022. He was previously arrested by NYPD for acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and RELEASED back into American neighborhoods. He then went on to commit the heinous murder of Laken Riley. Earlier this week, Secretary Noem announced the end of Operation Angel's Honor, a 14-day nationwide operation, launched in honor of Laken Riley, targeting illegal aliens who committed Laken Riley Act crimes. In total, ICE arrested 1,030 criminal illegal aliens during this operation. "In honor of Laken Riley, ICE launched Operation Angel's Honor – in the last 2 weeks alone arresting more than 1,000 criminal illegal aliens under the authority of the Laken Riley Act." said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. "President Trump has empowered us to arrest and remove the millions of violent criminal illegal aliens unleashed on the United States by the previous administration. Now, these criminals will face justice and be removed from our country. We can never bring Laken back, but we can do everything in our power to bring these heinous criminals to justice. I am so proud of what our brave men and women of ICE have done to remove these criminals from America's streets." Some arrests from Operation Angel's Honor include: Sergio Luis Hernandez Gonzalez, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, convicted of 17 COUNTS of larceny, two counts of burglary, two counts of selling cocaine, and resisting an officer, vehicle theft, fraud, and robbery. Jersson Andrey Poveda Delgado, a criminal illegal alien from Colombia, convicted of aggravated assault on a police officer and charged with battery. Yaser Garcia Ramirez, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, convicted of vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to commit the offense of manufacturing and distributing heroin, trespassing, and criminal possession of a loaded firearm. He was also charged with domestic violence, assault, and obstructing police. Jorby Joel Escuraina-Suarez, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela, convicted of aggravated assault with a weapon. Santos Chim-Diego, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted of resisting an officer, aggravated assault on an officer, and driving under the influence of liquor. He was also charged with cruelty toward a child, assault, domestic violence, and battery. Nathaniel Antoney Sterling, a criminal illegal alien from Jamaica, convicted of sexual assault – carnal abuse. He was also charged for resisting an officer, domestic abuse, possession of a weapon, and disorderly conduct. Omar Barojas-Arenas, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of kidnapping and drug possession and charged with burglary and larceny. Hamid Abdulimam Al Nassar, a criminal illegal alien from Iraq, convicted of procuring for a prostitute who is a minor, possession of narcotics equipment, larceny, and drug possession. He was also charged with aggravated assault with a weapon, embezzlement, and fraud. Avelino Lage-Caro, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, convicted of cocaine possession, selling cocaine, and possession of a weapon. He was also charged with larceny. Yorisane Lazo, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, convicted of homicide willful kill with weapon, robbery, and robbery street strong-arm. Varun Datta, a criminal illegal alien from India, convicted of four counts of sexual assault, resisting an officer, and driving under the influence of liquor. He was also charged with shoplifting, trespassing, and battery. Luz Brisseida Ramirez-Leal, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of cruelty towards a child. Antonio Quintana-Rodriguez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of rape and illegal entry. # # # A Christmas Gift for Every American: Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Alien Murderers, Drug Traffickers, and Gang Members Arrested 12/27/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs A Christmas Gift for Every American: Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Alien Murderers, Drug Traffickers, and Gang Members Arrested ICE's commitment to protecting the homeland never takes a day off, not even on Christmas WASHINGTON ­­–– While Americans enjoyed Christmas celebrations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continued arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens across the country including those convicted of homicide, drug trafficking, and robbery. "While families across the country joined together for Christmas celebrations, ICE continued delivering the American people the greatest gift of all: getting criminals out of our neighborhoods and protecting our families," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "On Christmas Eve and Christmas, our ICE officers arrested gang members, murderers, drug traffickers, and violent thugs. We are thankful for our law enforcement who sacrifice time with their family and put their lives on the line to remove the worst of the worst." Arrests on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day include: Samuel Juarez-Cruz, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for criminal homicide, 3rd degree murder, and criminal conspiracy to commit criminal homicide in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Miguel Gonzalez-Toledo, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, convicted for homicide and drug trafficking in Florida. Mohamed Hassan Jeylani, a criminal illegal alien from Somalia, convicted for possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, unlawful fleeing from a police officer in a motor vehicle, 1st degree operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, 1st degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, 4th degree criminal possession of stolen property, and 2nd degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, in Monroe County, New York. Lionel Arevalo-Rubio, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador and a member of MS-13, convicted for robbery in Los Angeles, California. Juan David Vazquez-Reyes, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for death by auto or vessel in Cumberland County, New Jersey. Marcos Archila-Aquino, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted for aggravated assault with a weapon in Farmington, Utah. Juan Zarzoza-Garza, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Edinburg, Texas. Yasir Emilio Lohai Ojok, a criminal illegal alien from Sudan, convicted for 2nd degree burglary in Ontario, California. Leonardo Miliano, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, convicted for carrying a loaded firearm without a license, and carrying a firearm without a license in Lynn, Massachusetts. Jose Arena-Ojeda, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela, convicted for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, and alien smuggling in Brackettville, Texas. # # # You are subscribed to updates from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Manage Subscriptions  |  Privacy Policy  |  Help Connect with DHS: Facebook  |  X  |  Truth Social  |  Instagram  |  LinkedIn  |  Flickr  |  YouTube U.S. Department of Homeland Security www.dhs.gov This email was sent to ricklivermore.thankyoujesus@blogger.com on behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security | DHS.gov