U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) posted a series of statements on its official Twitter account between February 14 and 15, 2026, detailing recent enforcement actions and raising concerns about public interference during arrests.
On February 14, ICE reported the sentencing of Osvaldo Rivero Ledesma, described as “a criminal illegal alien murderer and former Hermandad de Pistoleros Latinos gang member from Cuba,” to a lengthy prison term. According to the agency’s post: “Osvaldo Rivero Ledesma, a criminal illegal alien murderer and former Hermandad de Pistoleros Latinos gang member from Cuba, was sentenced to 60 years in prison for his crimes. He’ll remain in our custody until he’s deported.” The tweet also noted that Ledesma will stay in ICE custody until deportation proceedings are completed.
Later that day, ICE addressed what it characterized as unlawful interference with law enforcement operations. In a statement published at 23:00 UTC on February 14, the agency said: “Organized anti-ICE groups are INSTRUCTING agitators to physically impede officers during arrests. That is monumentally dangerous and completely illegal.”
On February 15, ICE highlighted another case involving Antonio Arquimides from El Salvador. The agency stated: “Given the opportunity of a lifetime, this criminal alien from El Salvador squandered his 2018 lawful permanent resident status by preying on the innocent. Convicted of aggravated sexual assault in 2022, Antonio Arquimides”. The tweet indicated pending charges related to sexual assault alongside the conviction for aggravated sexual assault.
ICE operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and is responsible for enforcing immigration laws within the United States through detention and removal operations targeting individuals deemed removable under federal statutes. Its activities have drawn both support for public safety efforts and criticism regarding due process concerns for those detained or deported.
Recent years have seen an increase in activism opposing certain ICE practices; some groups advocate direct action tactics that may include physically blocking law enforcement officers during arrests—a practice ICE has publicly condemned as unlawful.
