U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported Francisco Lopez Melendez, a 32-year-old Mexican national and member of the Suenos-13 gang, from Houston to Mexico. This marks his sixth removal from the United States, with previous deportations occurring in November 2013, May 2015, May 2018, October 2018, and November 2019. Melendez had been convicted of multiple offenses while in the U.S., including failure to provide identification or providing fictitious information three times, drug possession twice, illegal entry twice, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property, burglary, driving while intoxicated (DWI), and evading arrest.
In recent actions by ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations in Houston, two other individuals were also removed. Jesus Alvarez Sinecio was deported on February 10 after having been removed six times previously. Alvarez's criminal record includes convictions for aggravated assault of a family member, alien in possession of a firearm, DWI, illegal entry and re-entry. On February 13, Humberto Romero Avila was deported; he is a Paisas gang member who entered the U.S. illegally ten times and was wanted in Mexico for an alleged murder committed in 2007. Romero's convictions include four instances of DWI as well as larceny.
"“In recent years some of the world’s most dangerous fugitives transnational gang members and criminal aliens have taken advantage of the crisis at our nation’s southern border to illegally enter the U.S.” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford." He emphasized that these individuals have "infiltrated our local communities" causing harm to residents. Bradford highlighted law enforcement's commitment to protecting public safety by removing such criminals.
For more updates on ICE activities related to immigration enforcement in Texas follow their account on X at @EROHouston.
