The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 7,000 gang members during the first year of President Trump's second term. The arrests are part of a broader effort to address violent crime and carry out mass deportations as directed by the administration.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “In President Trump’s first year in office, ICE arrested 7,000 gang members. When we say we are targeting the worst of the worst, this is exactly what we mean. Many of these were let in by Joe Biden and should have never been in this country. These vicious criminals murdered, assaulted, robbed, and terrorized innocent Americans for sport. But under President Trump’s and Secretary Noem’s leadership, ICE is turbocharged to arrest even more gang members and make America safe again.”
Among those arrested were individuals identified as members or associates of several well-known gangs. Vicente Paul Carreno-Aular from Venezuela was listed as an active member of Tren de Aragua with prior arrests for homicide and assault; he was removed from the U.S. in September 2025 after being arrested earlier that year.
Other cases highlighted include Kevin Elenilson Avalos Diaz from El Salvador associated with MS-13; Nester Fabian Londono from Colombia linked to the Latin Kings; Carlos Yuniol Pimentel-Ortiz from the Dominican Republic connected to the Trinitarios; Juan Antonio Jaimes-Lazaro from Mexico associated with the Mexican Mafia; Yony Ledesma-Pedrazza from Mexico affiliated with Nortenos; Thanh Phuc Luong from Vietnam identified as an Asian Boys member; Sy Reouth from Cambodia associated with Crips; and Raul Maceda Dominguez from Cuba linked to Bloods.
The DHS emphasized that some individuals had previously entered or re-entered the United States illegally after removal or release under previous administrations.
