During a six-week period coinciding with what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described as the "Democrats’ shutdown," U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 3,593 individuals in Houston, Texas who were identified as criminal illegal aliens. The agency reported that those detained included people convicted of crimes such as homicide, sexual assault of minors, kidnapping, gang activity, and repeated illegal entry.
According to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, “ICE officers are facing a 1,000% increase in assaults against them and an 8,000% increase in death threats, but they refuse to bend the knee to threats of violence and lies from sanctuary activists and the mainstream media.” She added: “Under President Trump and Secretary Noem we have the most secure border in American history and the days of illegal aliens breaking America’s laws with impunity are OVER.”
Among those apprehended were Leo Michel Acosta Sanchez from Mexico, who is subject to an Interpol Red Notice for aggravated intentional homicide; Angel Gabriel Ramirez-Robles from Mexico, previously removed twice and convicted of sexual assault of a child; Ramiro Ricardo Maldonado-Trevino from Mexico, an MS-13 gang member convicted of alien smuggling who entered the United States illegally six times; Noi Ly from Cambodia, convicted of aggravated kidnapping; Gustavo Chacha Cano from Mexico for aggravated sexual assault of a child; Hector Eugenio Ramirez-Martinez from Honduras for sexual indecency with a child; Filomin Palacios Godino from Mexico with convictions including sexual indecency with a child; Jose Angel Maldonado-Salazar from Mexico for sex assault among other offenses; Hector Rubio-Garcia from Mexico for indecent exposure and other charges; Juan Antonio Hernandez-Sanchez from Mexico for multiple convictions including battery and illegal entry; Brayan Jose Cruz-Mendez from Honduras for online solicitation of a minor under 14; Jose Luis Martinez Hernandez from Mexico for aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14; Milton Enrique Peralta-Robles from El Salvador for invasive visual recording bath/dress; Adan Arrellano Martinez and Manuel Fonseca-Sanchez both from Mexico for sexual indecency with a child; Mariano Yanez Conejo also from Mexico for aggravated sexual assault of a child; Oscar Adrian Lucas-Paxtor from Guatemala for sexual assault of a child aged 14-17; Valentin Zamudio Flores from Mexico for sexual indecency with a child; Jose Luis Contreras Cabrera from Honduras for indecent assault; and Jonathan Eduardo Rangel-Salazar from Mexico who was previously removed and convicted for online solicitation of a minor.
The arrests took place during increased scrutiny on immigration enforcement actions within major urban centers like Houston. ICE officials emphasized that their operations targeted individuals already found guilty or accused by authorities in their home countries or within the United States.
