U.S. Department of Homeland Security Weekly Digest Bulletin

Americans Ring in 2026 with Safer Communities Delivered by ICE Arresting Worst of Worst Child Sexual Predators, Murderers, and Drug Traffickers 12/29/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs Americans Ring in 2026 with Safer Communities Delivered by ICE Arresting Worst of Worst Child Sexual Predators, Murderers, and Drug Traffickers 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 — While Americans celebrated the Christmas season and now prepare for the new year, 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, lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14-years-old, and sexual assault of a child. "While Americans across the country spent time with their families this Christmas season, ICE continued delivering the American people the greatest gift of 2025: getting criminals out of our neighborhoods and protecting our families," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "ICE officers arrested heinous criminal illegal aliens yesterday, including murderers and monsters who sexually abused children. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, criminal illegal aliens have NO PLACE in our country." Arrests yesterday include: Juan Perez-Tello, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico convicted of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14-years-old in Santa Barbara, California. Julio Miguel Gonzalez, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba convicted of homicide-willful kill in Miami, Florida. Carlos Esqueda-Ortega, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico with multiple convictions including illegal re-entry after deportation, possession of controlled substance for sale, receiving stolen property, inflicting corporal injury of spouse/cohabitant, and felon/addict in possession of a firearm in Stockton, San Diego, Santa Rosa, and Manteca, California. Jose Barrera-Bolanos, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico convicted of sexual assault of a child in Denver, Colorado. Gustavo Benitez-Barrueta, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico convicted of possession of cocaine HCL with intent to distribute/sell in Austin, Texas. # # # In a Historic Announcement, FEMA Rapidly Awards $250 Million to Secure U.S. Skies Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 12/30/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs In a Historic Announcement, FEMA Rapidly Awards $250 Million to Secure U.S. Skies Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Fiscal Year 2026 Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program is Fastest Non-Disaster Award Ever Executed by FEMA WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $250 million to the 11 states hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and to the National Capital Region through the new Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program. Recipients can use this money to strengthen their ability to detect, identify, track, or mitigate unmanned aircraft systems, also known as "drones." This program aligns with the Trump-Vance Administration's initiative to protect the public from hostile drones during mass gathering events, as outlined in the Executive Order on Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty. In recent years, criminals, terrorists, and hostile foreign actors have intensified their use of this technology. With today's C-UAS Grant Program award—along with the new authorities granted in the SAFER SKIES Act—state and local law enforcement agencies now have the tools they need to keep their communities safe. This is especially critical as officials across the country prepare for the United States to host the FIFA World Cup, which is expected to be the largest sporting event in world history. "We knew we needed to act quickly to keep the World Cup safe from the rising threat of unmanned aircraft systems and that's exactly what we did," said a FEMA Spokesperson. "This is the fastest non-disaster grant program ever executed by FEMA with funds being awarded just 26 days after the application deadline. This efficiency is a testament to the Administration's laser-focus on cutting red tape, getting resources into the hands of law enforcement, and protecting the American people." The C-UAS Grant Program was established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 and signed into law by President Trump in July 2025. Through this program, DHS is providing $500 million in federal funding over two years to enhance state and local capabilities to combat unmanned aircraft systems. Today's announcement is for the first $250 million, awarded to the 11 states hosting FIFA World Cup 2026, as well as to the National Capital Region which is hosting America 250 national events. Next year, the remaining $250 million will be distributed to all U.S. states and territories with an expanded focus on building detection and response capacity nationwide. This design demonstrates that the Trump Administration is working to keep Americans secure as they attend historic events across the nation while also building stronger, longer-term protections against drone threats. This announcement comes after a critical evaluation of all FEMA grant programs and recipients. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem's leadership, FEMA has become a responsible steward of taxpayers' dollars. The agency instituted sweeping reforms to its grant programs, eliminating egregious waste, fraud, and abuse that has been happening for decades. Its grant programs are now carefully crafted to ensure that that taxpayer money is spent responsibly on projects that deliver real safety and security for all Americans. FEMA announced the Fiscal Year 2026 C-UAS Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity on October 28, 2026. # # # ICE Ends 2025 With More Arrests of Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Child Rapists, Violent Abusers, and Drug Traffickers 12/30/2025 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs ICE Ends 2025 With More Arrests of Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Child Rapists, Violent Abusers, and Drug Traffickers 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 — As Americans prepare to celebrate the new year, they can be thankful for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arresting and removing criminals out of their neighborhoods. Yesterday across the country, ICE arrested the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens convicted of heinous crimes including raping a child under 12-years-old, domestic violence assault, and alien smuggling. "In President Trump's first year in office, ICE law enforcement relentlessly targeted the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens across our country," said a DHS Spokesperson. "Just yesterday ICE arrested domestic abusers, drug traffickers, and a monster who raped a child under 12-years-old. Our New Year's resolution for 2026: more worst of the worst arrests. We are thankful to all our officers who put their lives on the line day-in and day-out to deliver safer neighborhoods for American families." Yesterday's worst of the worst arrests include: Artemio Gabriel-Perez, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted of rape in the second degree involving a victim under 12-years-old in Scott County, Kentucky. Julian Ramos-Vicente, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted of aggravated assault in Floyd, Georgia. Panfilo Padilla-Garcia, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of domestic violence assault in Las Vegas, Nevada. Muhammad Baloch, a criminal illegal alien from Pakistan, convicted of manufacturing/delivery of a controlled substance in Collin County, Texas. Gabino Huerta-Navarrete, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of alien smuggling in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas. # # # ICE Rings in 2026 With More Arrests of Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Pedophiles, Murderers, and Fraudsters 01/02/2026 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs ICE Rings in 2026 With More Arrests of Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Pedophiles, Murderers, and Fraudsters WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) begins the new year with continued progress in removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from American communities. Today, ICE announced the arrest of those convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child, murder, and fraud. "ICE law enforcement secures our streets every single day including over the holiday season. They rang in the New Year with the removal of more disgusting monsters including pedophiles, murderers, and fraudsters from American neighborhoods," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "Thanks to our brave law enforcement officers, American families have safer communities in 2026." Arrests on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day include: Luis Miguel Gonzalez-Castillo, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child in Harris County, Texas. Brallan Josue Garcia-Castro, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted of sex assault – defendant four years older than victim between 13- and 16-years old, and endangering the welfare of a child – pornography in Morris County, New Jersey. Angel Marin-Cruz, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of indecent liberties with a child in Forsyth County, North Carolina. Marvin McGregor, a criminal illegal alien from Jamaica, convicted of third-degree murder, firearms possession, and recklessly endangering another person in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Desiderio Marte Vargas, a criminal illegal alien from Dominican Republic, convicted of attempted murder and unlawful possession of a weapon in Paterson, New Jersey. Guillermo Ibarra-Reyes, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of attempted willful premediate murder in Los Angeles, California. Victor Guerrero, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted of fraud, trafficking in or possession of counterfeit credit cards, delivery of controlled substance, possession of controlled substance, and unlawful possession of personal ID in Tampa, Florida. Karen Empaynado, a criminal illegal alien from Philippines, convicted of burglary, grand theft, and battery in Deltona, Florida. Rinaldy Jesus Turcios-Flores, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted of grand larceny and identity fraud in Prince William, Virginia. Yusney Figueroa Arguelles, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, convicted of robbery with a firearm in Orlando, Florida. # # # ICE Announces Historic 120% Manpower Increase, Thanks to Recruitment Campaign that brought in 12,000 Officers and Agents 01/03/2026 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs ICE Announces Historic 120% Manpower Increase, Thanks to Recruitment Campaign that brought in 12,000 Officers and Agents WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today announced that its unprecedented nationwide recruitment campaign has shattered expectations, hiring more than 12,000 officers and agents in less than a year. After receiving more than 220,000 applications to join ICE from patriotic Americans, ICE blew past its original hiring target of 10,000 new officers and agents within a year. In fact, we have more than doubled our officers and agents from 10,000 to 22,000. With these new patriots on the team, we will be able to accomplish what many say was impossible and fulfill President Trump’s promise to make America safe again. “The good news is that thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill that President Trump signed, we have an additional 12,000 ICE officers and agents on the ground across the country,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “That’s a 120% increase in our workforce. And that’s in just about four months.” Thousands of these newly hired officers and agents are already deployed nationwide and actively supporting enforcement operations, including arrests, investigations, and removals. The accelerated hiring tempo has allowed ICE to place officers in the field faster than any previous recruitment effort in the agency’s history.  The recruitment initiative utilized data driven outreach efforts to recruit qualified patriotic Americans from across the country. As a result, ICE was able to exceed its hiring surge target while maintaining rigorous standards for training and readiness. ICE continues to accept applications and encourages individuals interested in federal law enforcement careers to learn more at join.ice.gov. # # # 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