During the week of August 30 to September 5, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona filed immigration-related criminal charges against 218 individuals. The office reported that 100 cases involved illegal re-entry into the United States, while another 107 cases concerned illegal entry. Additionally, 11 people were charged with smuggling illegal aliens into and within Arizona.
Federal law enforcement agencies referred or supported these cases. These agencies include Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Among recent cases highlighted by authorities is United States v. Jose Uriel Meraz-Aguilar. On September 3, Jose Uriel Meraz-Aguilar, a Mexican citizen aged 20, was charged with Transportation of an Illegal Alien after being encountered by Border Patrol agents near Dateland, Arizona on September 1. According to investigators, Meraz-Aguilar entered the country near Monument 179 along with three others who wore camouflage and carpet shoes as they attempted to cross north through desert terrain toward Interstate 8 but became separated during their journey. Two members of this group were rescued and received medical care for dehydration and heat exhaustion. Agents allege that Meraz-Aguilar was paid to serve as a foot guide for the Salazares Cartel and left his companions behind in accordance with cartel instructions.
Another case cited is United States v. Edwuin Lucino Hernandez-Cordero. On September 4, Edwuin Lucino Hernandez-Cordero—a Mexican citizen—was charged with Conspiracy to Transport an Illegal Alien following a July traffic stop in which he was found transporting five illegal aliens. Further investigation linked him to stash houses in Glendale and Phoenix operated by a human smuggling organization; officials identified Hernandez-Cordero and his associates as drivers and caretakers responsible for moving undocumented individuals across various parts of the country for profit.
These prosecutions are part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aimed at countering illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators by coordinating resources from programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
"A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
