In Albuquerque, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico released its weekly report on immigration enforcement activities. The report details criminal charges brought in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and other federal, state, and county agencies.
During a two-week period ending January 9, 2025, prosecutors charged 85 individuals with illegal reentry after deportation under 8 U.S.C. 1326. Five people faced charges related to alien smuggling under 8 U.S.C. 1324. Additionally, 96 individuals were charged with illegal entry under 8 U.S.C. 1325.
Twenty-eight people were charged both with illegal entry and violations of military security regulations (50 U.S.C. 797), as well as entering restricted military property (18 U.S.C. 1382). These charges are connected to incidents involving a newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico.
The office noted that many defendants prosecuted for illegal reentry had prior convictions for offenses such as burglary, narcotics possession, DUI, assault, fraud, and previous immigration violations.
“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.”
The statistics cover only prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico and do not include those apprehended by immigration officials who face only administrative processes.
According to current leadership at the office: “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.”
The District includes all 33 counties in New Mexico and shares about 180 miles of international border with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys based in Albuquerque and Las Cruces work closely with law enforcement partners at all levels to prosecute federal offenses related to immigration.
