A major law enforcement operation in Laredo, Texas has led to the arrest of 28 individuals for alleged immigration violations across Webb, La Salle, McMullen, Jim Hogg and Zapata Counties. The arrests were announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Most of those arrested are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian Bajew in Laredo on September 29.
The arrests are part of Operation Pick-Off, an initiative by the Southern District of Texas and the FBI that targets undocumented immigrants who are on state probation for other crimes. The operation began August 22 in McAllen and Brownsville, resulting in nearly 80 arrests there before expanding to Laredo with these additional 28 arrests.
"States normally put offenders on probation or parole to give them a second chance. But when it comes to criminal illegal aliens, our focus should be repatriating them to their home country, rather than letting them walk the streets of our community to commit additional crimes," said Ganjei. "Today’s operation was a win for public safety, but, as I said at the announcement of this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is not going to rest until we bring Pick-Off to all 43 counties of the Southern District of Texas. If you’re here illegally and have committed crimes in our communities, consider yourself warned. We are coming."
Among those arrested in Laredo were 23 people accused of reentering the United States after being previously removed; they were reportedly serving probation terms for convictions such as drug offenses, human smuggling, fraud, burglary and aggravated assault. One individual had been convicted of murder and sentenced to 18 years in a Texas prison before being removed to Mexico; authorities allege he returned illegally and was residing in Laredo.
If convicted on federal charges related to illegal reentry after removal following certain felony convictions, most defendants could face up to 20 years in prison.
Law enforcement also detained five other individuals found illegally present who are expected to be immediately removed from the country.
The FBI supported Operation Pick-Off through its Summer Heat initiative by increasing resources alongside partner agencies for targeted operations against high-priority suspects.
"No single law enforcement agency can face today’s increasingly complex, dangerous, and far-reaching threats alone," said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI San Antonio Field Office. "Operation Pick-Off reflects a unified and strategic law enforcement effort to protect the community from criminal illegal aliens. The FBI will continue to surge and mobilize resources to join our partners in protecting the homeland by enforcing our federal laws. The success of this operation was made possible by the unwavering commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to securing our southern border."
"This is what a whole-of-government approach looks like - federal, state and local agencies working together to increase public safety and make our communities safer one arrest at a time," said Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations Harlingen Field Office Director Juan Agudelo. "We are grateful for the collaborative efforts we saw today. This operation would not be possible without the support and assistance of the law enforcement partners we work with day in and day out to address complex threats facing our nation and achieve a shared goal."
Multiple agencies participated in these cases including: FBI San Antonio Field Office; ICE Harlingen (Laredo Sub-Office); Laredo Sector Border Patrol; U.S. Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Customs and Border Protection; ICE-Homeland Security Investigations; Texas National Guard; Texas Department of Public Safety; Laredo Police Department; along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Laredo prosecuting.
This effort is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide program designed by the Department of Justice that brings together various initiatives like Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods with an aim toward combating illegal immigration as well as organized crime groups.
Officials emphasized that criminal complaints represent formal accusations only: all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty through legal proceedings.
