The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico released its weekly report on immigration and border-related crimes, highlighting prosecution statistics for a two-week period ending December 19, 2025. The cases were brought in collaboration with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and other federal, state, and county agencies.
According to the office, 96 individuals were charged with illegal reentry after deportation under 8 U.S.C. 1326. An additional six people faced charges related to alien smuggling under 8 U.S.C. 1324. There were also 112 individuals charged with illegal entry under 8 U.S.C. 1325.
Fifty-four defendants were charged with illegal entry as well as violating military security regulations (50 U.S.C. 797) and entering military, naval, or Coast Guard property (18 U.S.C. 1382). These charges stemmed from incidents at a newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico.
The office noted that many defendants charged under illegal reentry statutes had previous convictions for serious offenses such as rape, abduction, drug trafficking, DUI, aggravated assault, and battery.
A notable case during this period involved eleven alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua who were indicted on RICO charges as part of a coordinated Department of Justice operation spanning five federal districts.
“These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime,” stated the office.
The statistics reflect only prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico and do not include those apprehended by immigration enforcement officials who underwent administrative processing alone.
“Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the District of New Mexico. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children,” according to an official statement.
The District covers all 33 counties in New Mexico and shares approximately 180 miles of international border with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys based in Albuquerque and Las Cruces work closely with law enforcement partners at various levels to prosecute these cases.
