Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs | https://www.dhs.gov/
Despite a government shutdown, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues its law enforcement activities across the United States. ICE officers are working without pay due to the ongoing shutdown, which officials attribute to actions by congressional Democrats.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented on the situation, stating, "Our brave law enforcement officers’ risk their lives to arrest pedophiles, murderers, drug traffickers, and other violent thugs from American communities. Not only are these law enforcement officers risking their lives amid a 1000% increase in assault against them, bounties on their heads and threats to their families from foreign and domestic terrorists, but they are now working without pay because of the Democrats’ government shutdown," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "It's time for Democrats to end the government shutdown, so our ICE officers can get their paychecks as they work to make America safe again."
Recently reported arrests include several individuals convicted of serious crimes:
- German Morachel-Lopez from Mexico was convicted of sexual conduct against a child in Queens, New York.
- Isidro Carrera-Rodriguez from Mexico was convicted of third-degree assault and offensive touching in New Castle, Delaware.
- Adrian Alberto Morales-Maldonado from Mexico was convicted of aggravated robbery in Hidalgo County, Texas.
- Wenceslao Alvarez-Alvarez from Mexico has convictions related to importation of controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering in federal court in Atlanta.
- Edgar Ivan Ponce-Aldaco from Mexico was convicted for conspiracy involving more than 50 kilos of marijuana with intent to distribute or sell in Comstock, Texas.
These cases highlight that ICE operations continue during the shutdown period even as staff remain unpaid.
