The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released information on recent arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles. The operation targeted individuals identified as some of the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized local leaders, stating, “Why do Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass care more about violent murderers and sex offenders than they do about protecting their own citizens?” She added, “These rioters in Los Angeles are fighting to keep rapists, murderers, and other violent criminals loose on Los Angeles streets. Instead of rioting, they should be thanking ICE officers every single day who wake up and make our communities safer.”
Among those arrested was Cuong Chanh Phan from Vietnam, convicted of second-degree murder with a sentence ranging from 15 years to life. Rolando Veneracion-Enriquez from the Philippines was also detained; his offenses include burglary and sexual crimes leading to a 37-year prison sentence.
Other arrests included Lionel Sanchez-Laguna from Mexico, charged with multiple offenses such as discharging a firearm at an inhabited dwelling and assault with a semi-automatic firearm. Armando Ordaz, also from Mexico, faced charges including sexual battery and petty theft.
Francisco Sanchez-Arguello's record involved grand theft larceny and possession of a prohibited weapon. Jose Gregorio Medranda Ortiz from Ecuador was convicted for conspiracy related to drug distribution aboard a vessel.
Victor Mendoza-Aguilar had convictions for possessing unlawful paraphernalia and controlled substances among other charges. Delfino Aguilar-Martinez faced charges for assault with a deadly weapon resulting in bodily injury.
Jose Cristobal Hernandez-Buitron from Peru was sentenced for robbery while Jordan Mauricio Meza-Esquibel faced drug distribution charges along with domestic violence accusations. Jesus Alan Hernandez-Morales' record includes conspiracy to transport an illegal alien.
The operation underscores ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement efforts and local policies in California.
