The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced on March 27 its immigration enforcement statistics for the week, detailing a range of criminal charges related to border security. The office said these cases are prosecuted in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and other federal, state, and county agencies.
According to the announcement, during the two-week period ending March 27, prosecutors charged 98 individuals with illegal reentry after deportation under federal law. Additionally, 10 people were charged with alien smuggling and six were charged with illegal entry. Nineteen individuals faced charges that included illegal entry as well as violations related to military security regulations and unauthorized entry onto military property connected to a newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico.
The office reported that many defendants facing illegal reentry charges had prior convictions for offenses such as theft, aggravated driving under the influence (DUI), aggravated assault, use of false immigration documents, child sexual assault, domestic violence, narcotics trafficking, and previous immigration violations.
These prosecutions are part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aimed at using Department of Justice resources to address illegal immigration and combat cartels and transnational criminal organizations. The office clarified that its statistics only reflect prosecutions by its attorneys; they do not include individuals apprehended by immigration officials who undergo only administrative processing.
Officials stated that public safety and border security remain top priorities for the district. Enhanced enforcement efforts have led to arrests involving unlawful activity or serious criminal histories such as human trafficking or violence against children.
The District of New Mexico covers 33 counties along a 180-mile stretch bordering Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys based in Albuquerque and Las Cruces work alongside various law enforcement partners on these cases.
