The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced progress in Operation Salvo, an immigration enforcement initiative launched after the July 19 shooting of an off-duty Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer in New York City. The operation was initiated following the attack by two alleged members of a transnational gang who were identified as being in the country illegally.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated, “Operation Salvo is just the beginning of a broader and a much more sustained effort to go after not only transnational criminal organizations and networks, but also illegal criminal aliens throughout the country. The Trump Administration is using every single tool that we have to protect the American people. We are warning anyone if you think you can harm an individual, a citizen of the United States, or a law enforcement officer, we will find you and bring you to justice. If you lay a finger on one of our officers, we will catch you. We will prosecute you and you will feel the full extent of the law.”
According to officials, Operation Salvo has led to 54 arrests so far, with additional arrests expected. Many individuals arrested are reportedly associated with violent gangs such as the Trinitarios and face charges related to weapons trafficking, human smuggling, narcotics distribution, armed robberies, and previous violent incidents in New York City. Authorities report that about 60% of those detained have already been removed from the United States.
The incident that prompted Operation Salvo involved two suspects from the Dominican Republic who allegedly attacked an off-duty CBP officer and his girlfriend while they were walking through a park. The officer survived after sustaining gunshot wounds to his face and right forearm.
Both suspects—Miguel Mora Nunez and Cristhian Aybar Berroa—are described as having prior criminal records involving assault, robbery, reckless endangerment, grand larceny, and other offenses. They now face multiple new charges including attempted murder for Mora Nunez.
CBP New York named Operation Salvo both for its reference to the officer’s survival (“salvation”) and as part of their intent to deliver what they called a “salvo of justice” against those targeting community safety.
The operation involves collaboration among CBP, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), as well as partnerships with local law enforcement agencies like the New York Police Department and federal prosecutors from both the Southern District of New York (SDNY) and New York County District Attorney’s Office.
Additional individuals arrested under Operation Salvo include Francisco Fabelo; Cristian Javier; Vladimir de Jesus Martinez; Brandol Fernandez Encarnacion; and Jorge Medina-Pacheco—all reported by authorities as criminal illegal aliens from the Dominican Republic with various histories involving violent crimes or drug-related offenses.
