Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs | https://www.dhs.gov/
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested Jose Andres Rodriguez-Torres, a Mexican national, outside the ICE Houston Field Office after he was found carrying a knife and a glass pipe commonly used for smoking crack cocaine. According to ICE, Rodriguez-Torres approached the restricted employee parking lot at the facility before being detained by law enforcement officers.
When confronted by officers, Rodriguez-Torres identified himself as being from Mexico, became tense, and dropped to the ground. Officers then observed a sheathed knife on his waist and took him into custody. A search revealed the glass pipe in his pocket.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated: "A criminal illegal alien—released by the Biden Administration and previously removed four times—armed with a knife in a restricted parking lot outside of an ICE office in Houston. These are the types of threats and risks our officers face every single day as they work to remove the worst of the worst. Yesterday alone, there was this incident with the knife outside the Houston facility, and in two separate incidents criminal illegal aliens using cars as weapons against our officers. This violence against federal law enforcement MUST END."
ICE records show that Rodriguez-Torres has been arrested or removed from the United States on four previous occasions:
- On December 27, 2012, he entered near Tecate, California, was arrested by Border Patrol, and voluntarily returned to Mexico.
- On April 14, 2014, he reentered for a second time, was arrested by Border Patrol, and voluntarily returned.
- On April 22, 2014, he reentered for a third time near Rio Grande City, Texas; Border Patrol arrested him and returned him to Mexico.
- On April 24, 2014, he entered for a fourth time; again he was arrested by Border Patrol and voluntarily returned.
He is alleged to have illegally reentered for a fifth time at an unknown date and location without inspection by immigration officials. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
Rodriguez-Torres had previously been encountered by ICE officers in Seattle following an arrest for burglary on October 30, 2024.
ICE noted that assaults against Department of Homeland Security law enforcement officers have increased significantly over recent years but said its personnel continue their mission to enforce laws and protect citizens.
