On February 6, 2026, a federal judge in Louisiana ordered the release of four individuals held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These individuals had previously been convicted of serious crimes including murder and child sexual exploitation.
According to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, "Judge John deGravelles, appointed by Barack Obama, released FOUR violent criminals back onto American communities, and unfortunately, the ramifications will only be the continued rape, murder, assault, and robbery of more American victims. Releasing these monsters is inexcusably reckless. President Trump and Secretary Noem are now enforcing the law and arresting illegal aliens who have no right to be in our country. We are applying the law as written. If an immigration judge finds an illegal alien has no right to be in this country, we are going to remove them. Period."
The four individuals released were identified as follows:
- Ibrahim Ali Mohammed from Ethiopia was convicted for sexual exploitation of a minor. He received a final order of removal on September 5, 2024.
- Luis Gaston-Sanchez from Cuba was convicted of homicide along with other offenses such as assault and robbery. His final order of removal was issued on September 24, 2001.
- Ricardo Blanco Chomat from Cuba faced convictions for homicide, kidnapping, aggravated assault with a firearm, burglary, robbery, larceny, and selling cocaine. His removal order dates back to March 27, 2002.
- Francisco Rodriguez-Romero from Cuba was convicted for homicide and a weapons offense; his final removal order was dated May 30, 1995.
In September 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began working with Louisiana officials to increase ICE detention capacity at Angola Prison (Louisiana State Penitentiary), which has since housed some criminal non-citizens arrested by ICE.
The administration under President Trump and Secretary Noem continues efforts to remove non-citizens with criminal records from the United States.
