During the week of September 20 to September 26, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona charged 181 individuals with immigration-related crimes. Of these, 82 cases involved illegal re-entry into the United States, while another 80 individuals were charged with illegal entry. Additionally, federal prosecutors filed 18 cases against 19 people accused of smuggling undocumented immigrants within Arizona.
These actions were supported by various federal agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Several recent cases were highlighted:
In United States v. Ignacio Villalobos-Lopez, on September 22, Ignacio Villalobos-Lopez—a Mexican citizen previously removed from the country—was apprehended while transporting four undocumented immigrants. Authorities discovered that Villalobos-Lopez had prior involvement in similar activities and anticipated receiving $500 per person transported. He was charged with Illegal Entry and Transportation of an Illegal Alien.
In United States v. Marco Villareal-Aguilar, on September 25, Marco Villareal-Aguilar was charged with Bringing in an Illegal Alien for Profit after Border Patrol camera operators observed a group near the border on the Tohono O'odham Nation. Agents detained nine Mexican citizens wearing camouflage and carpet booties to mask their footprints; members of the group identified Villareal-Aguilar as their guide who coordinated their movement using a cellphone and radio.
In United States v. Nathan Vega, also on September 25, Nathan Vega faced charges for Transportation of an Illegal Alien following a high-speed chase exceeding 30 miles after agents noticed suspicious driving patterns near the international border on Tohono O'odham Nation land. After stopping his vehicle, several individuals fled; five were later apprehended and found to be Mexican citizens unlawfully present in the country.
These prosecutions are part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at countering illegal immigration and dismantling transnational criminal organizations by leveraging resources from programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Authorities remind that a criminal complaint is only a formal accusation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
