ICE Arrests Over 350 Illegal Immigrants in Houston During Trump’s Second Term

During the first half of President Donald Trump’s second term, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Houston made more than 350 arrests of illegal immigrants, including over 40 gang members. The arrests were part of a strategy aimed at targeting serious criminal immigrants to enhance public safety and maintain the integrity of the immigration system, as stated by the Department of Homeland Security. Interestingly, one individual among them had re-entered the United States 40 times.

In total, 356 gang members were apprehended, who collectively faced 1,685 criminal charges, such as murder, child sex offenses, sex trafficking, arson, and theft.

Comparatively, only 75 gang members were arrested in the Houston area during the first six months of Biden’s presidency, showcasing a staggering 375% increase in gang-related arrests under the Trump administration. In 2021, ICE in Houston arrested 115 gang members for the entire year.

Among the individuals arrested this year were 39 members of the MS-13 gang, 25 from the Tren de Aragua gang, 6 Latin Kings members, 159 Paisas members, and 26 from the Tango Blast gang. Homeland Security Advisor Tricia McLaughlin praised the significant uptick in these arrests as a critical blow to cross-border criminal gangs in the U.S.

“Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem, these illegal alien gang members are off the streets of America,” McLaughlin remarked.

Highlighting some notable arrests, Milton Alexander Magagnafuentes, a 31-year-old from the Paisas gang in El Salvador, had illegally entered the U.S. four times. Ronald Alberto Rivas Aguiler, a 28-year-old MS-13 member, was already convicted of murder and had twice illegally entered. Additionally, Hunberto Romero Avila, a 45-year-old Paisas gang member from Mexico, had multiple DWI offenses and theft charges against him while facing a murder solicitation back in his home country.

A member of the Latin Kings gang, Herson Barrera Vasquez, was found guilty of multiple assaults, drug trafficking, and theft while having been deported four times.

Gabriel Martinez, the field office director for ICE enforcement and removal operations in Houston, noted that these gangs have been responsible for many violent crimes in recent years. He emphasized the dedication of his officers, stating, “Even though some people try to undermine the courageous work being done by our officers, the brave men and women of ICE continue to risk their lives every day to arrest violent multinational gang members, foreign fugitives, and dangerous criminals. Our officers know that their efforts will help prevent such atrocities.”