U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported a series of arrests targeting individuals described as serious criminal offenders who were in the country illegally. The agency stated that these actions took place during the holiday season, with arrests made across several states.
According to ICE, those arrested included individuals convicted of offenses such as homicide, sexual assault of minors, drug trafficking, and other violent crimes. The agency identified the following people:
- Juan Perez-Tello from Mexico, convicted of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 in Santa Barbara, California.
- Julio Miguel Gonzalez from Cuba, convicted of willful homicide in Miami, Florida.
- Carlos Esqueda-Ortega from Mexico, with convictions including illegal re-entry after deportation, possession of controlled substances for sale, receiving stolen property, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, and being a felon/addict in possession of a firearm in various cities across California.
- Jose Barrera-Bolanos from Mexico, convicted of sexual assault of a child in Denver, Colorado.
- Gustavo Benitez-Barrueta from Mexico, convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute or sell in Austin, Texas.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented on the recent enforcement actions: “While Americans across the country spent time with their families this Christmas season, ICE continued delivering the American people the greatest gift of 2025: getting criminals out of our neighborhoods and protecting our families,” said McLaughlin. “ICE officers arrested heinous criminal illegal aliens yesterday, including murderers and monsters who sexually abused children. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, criminal illegal aliens have NO PLACE in our country.”
Additionally, ICE announced that individuals present unlawfully in the U.S. can receive a $3,000 stipend and free flight home if they choose to self-deport by registering through the CBP Home app before year’s end.
