Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs | https://www.dhs.gov/
Four individuals described by authorities as criminal illegal aliens were arrested in Portland, Oregon, after allegedly directing laser beams at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter. The incident, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), posed a significant risk to the safety of the aircraft crew and the public.
Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is considered a federal crime. Investigators traced the source of the laser to a nearby residence. A search warrant was executed by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), leading to the arrest of four suspects found inside.
“These four illegal aliens endangered the lives of our CBP personnel, the safety of every other aircraft in flight during the time AND put everyone on the ground in immediate danger. DHS law enforcement is facing a 1,000% increase in attacks against them,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “This strike happened just days after the terrorist attack on an ICE facility in Dallas and as rioters were arrested with guns outside a Broadview, Illinois, ICE facility with weapons. Secretary Noem has been clear: if you lay a hand on law enforcement you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The individuals taken into custody are:
- Diogenes Albores-Suchiapa, identified as a Mexican national previously arrested for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and second-degree criminal trespass in Gresham, Oregon. He had also been detained three times by CBP for immigration violations.
- Andres Brian Lopez-Labra, also from Mexico, who had prior arrests including unlawful entry by CBP and driving under the influence by Oregon State Police.
- Benito Zamora-Alvarez, another Mexican national who stated he has lived illegally in the United States since October 1994.
- Hector Miranda Mendoza, identified as an illegal alien from Mexico.
ICE officials emphasized that such actions not only threaten law enforcement but also compromise broader public safety.
