During the week of December 27, 2025, through January 2, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona charged 135 individuals with immigration-related crimes. According to a statement from the office, these charges included 75 cases involving illegal re-entry into the United States and 52 cases related to illegal entry. In addition, eight people were charged with smuggling undocumented immigrants into or within Arizona.
The enforcement efforts were supported by several federal agencies: Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
One case highlighted was United States v. Nolberto Erasmo Bojorquez-Chaparro. On December 29, Bojorquez-Chaparro was charged with transporting an undocumented immigrant. The complaint states that a Border Patrol agent followed footprints found by an air unit to five people hiding in bushes wearing camouflage and carpet booties; all were Mexican citizens unlawfully present in the country. Authorities determined that Bojorquez-Chaparro guided this group through the desert.
Another case mentioned was United States v. Omar Luna-Silva. On January 1, Luna-Silva was charged with re-entering after removal from the United States. He had previously been deported on May 16, 2013, following a felony conviction for possession of dangerous drugs for sale in Maricopa County Superior Court.
"A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," according to the release.
Further information about these actions can be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/.
