The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on Mar. 25 that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged an arrest detainer for Jose Alonso Paramo-Arguello, a Mexican national accused of laundering millions of dollars from narcotics trafficking.
This development is significant as it highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to prevent individuals charged with serious crimes from being released into the United States while facing removal proceedings.
According to the Justice Department, Paramo-Arguello was charged on March 18 with money laundering after his three money service businesses transferred more than $13 million in wire transfers to Mexico between January 2024 and December 2025. Of this amount, over $7 million was sent to locations in Mexico linked to narcotics trafficking. An Internal Revenue Service investigation found that an informant provided cash to Paramo-Arguello under the pretense of being a drug dealer, leading him to launder over $45,000 through multiple wire transfers while taking a ten percent commission described as a bribe.
Authorities stated that Paramo-Arguello previously entered the United States illegally and was deported in May 2003 before reentering at an unknown date and time—a felony offense—with no legal status in the country. "On March 18, 2026, Jose Alonso Paramo-Arguello, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, was charged with laundering millions in narcotics trafficking proceeds to Mexico. He was issued a voluntary return in 2003 and chose to commit a felony by illegally reentering the United States," said a DHS Spokesperson. "ICE has lodged a detainer with the U.S. Marshals Service so this criminal illegal alien will never be released into the United States.Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, we will not allow drug traffickers to profit off killing our children and grandchildren."
The Homeland Security Task Force—which includes agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, among others—made the arrest of Paramo-Arguello possible.
Federal officials say ICE's action is intended to ensure that individuals facing serious charges are removed from the country rather than released back onto American streets.
