Federal immigration authorities carried out a series of targeted operations across the United States this past weekend, Jan. 16 through Jan. 18, apprehending multiple foreign nationals with prior convictions for violent crimes, including murder, rape, and child exploitation.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the arrests on Monday, noting that the enforcement actions took place despite what the agency describes as a dangerous environment for its officers. According to DHS data, there has been a 1,300% increase in assaults against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin addressed the surge in risks facing federal agents while highlighting the severity of the offenders taken off the streets.
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“Our ICE law enforcement never stop fulfilling their mission to make America safe again,” McLaughlin said. “While Americans were enjoying their weekends, our law enforcement was arresting murderers, pedophiles, rapists, and gang members. Despite a more than 1,300% increase in assaults against them, our officers continue to put their lives on the line seven days a week to remove heinous criminals from American neighborhoods.”
High-Profile Arrests
The weekend operation spanned several major U.S. cities, from Baltimore to Los Angeles, focusing on individuals with serious criminal histories.
In one of the most severe cases, ICE agents in Baltimore apprehended Manuel Matta-Reyes, a 55-year-old Guatemalan national. Matta-Reyes had previously been convicted of second-degree murder and first-degree rape in Rutherford County, North Carolina.
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Authorities also targeted individuals convicted of crimes against children. In New Orleans, agents arrested Alfredo Rodriguez-Ordonez, 31, of Mexico. His record includes convictions for the sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Similarly, in Newark, agents apprehended Walace Pereira-Lima, a Brazilian national convicted of child pornography charges in federal court.
Gang Activity and Assaults
The sweep also focused on gang-related offenses and violent assaults. In San Francisco, agents arrested Benjamin Zaragoza-Garcia, identified by ICE as a 32-year-old Mexican national with a history of robbery involving gang enhancements.
Other significant arrests included:
- Philadelphia: Alexander Alejandro Xol-Pop, 20, of Guatemala, convicted of strangulation.
- Houston: Bruno Eliazar Guevara-Suazo, 34, of Honduras, convicted of assault on a peace officer.
- Atlanta: Roni Ayala-Raines, 40, of Honduras, convicted of assault by pointing a gun.
In addition to the domestic arrests, ICE San Antonio facilitated the removal of Jose Garcia-Samaniego, a 43-year-old Mexican national convicted of first-degree sexual assault of a minor in Nebraska.
The agency confirmed that all individuals arrested are currently in federal custody pending further immigration proceedings.
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