One year into President Trump’s second term, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has apprehended 7,000 members of criminal gangs comprised of illegal immigrants. These individuals include a mix of murderers, kidnappers, and thieves, many of whom have been previously deported or are in exile.
This significant achievement is part of a broader initiative by immigration officials and contrasts sharply with the strategies of the Biden administration, which has been criticized for its open border policies that have seemingly facilitated the entry of millions of undocumented immigrants without adequate security measures.
“When we say we’re targeting the worst of the worst, this is exactly what we mean,” commented DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
She further expressed concerns that many criminals were allowed into the U.S. during Joe Biden’s presidency, emphasizing that these individuals committed heinous acts against innocent Americans. Under Trump’s leadership, she assured, ICE is committed to apprehending more gang members to enhance safety.
This nationwide operation takes place in a context marked by rising violence, with reports indicating that assaults on immigration officers have skyrocketed by over 1,300% since Trump’s second term began.
DHS attributes these alarming statistics to left-wing politicians who have stirred public sentiment against ICE as an opposition to the administration’s vigorous efforts to tackle illegal immigration.
ICE has detained individuals associated with more than a dozen gangs, including the Crips, Bloods, MS-13, and Latin Kings among others.
Highlighted among those arrested are:
- Vicente Paul Carreno-Aurer, a Venezuelan national and active Torren de Aragua gang member, who has a history of serious offenses including murder and assault. He entered the U.S. in 2022 but was released earlier by the Biden administration.
- Kevin Elenilson Avalos Díaz, known for his connections with MS-13, faced charges for murder and kidnapping. He initially entered the U.S. illegally in 2016 and was previously released during the Obama administration.
- Nestor Fabian Londono, from Colombia, affiliated with the Latin Kings and has been convicted for offenses like murder and drug smuggling. He was deported in 2011 but re-entered the U.S. without authorization.
- Carlos Yunior Pimentel Ortiz, a Dominican national linked to the Trinitarios gang, previously convicted for aggravated assault and drug trafficking. He was deported in 2023 but entered the U.S. illegally afterwards.
- Juan Antonio Jaimes Lazaro, a member of the Mexican Mafia, faced serious charges including murder and smuggling contraband into prison.
- Yony Ledesma-Pedrazza, a Mexican national affiliated with the Nortenos gang, has a history of violence, including murder and robbery.
- Tan Phuc Luong, a Vietnamese national in the Asian Boys gang, was found guilty on multiple charges, including assault and carrying a concealed weapon.
- Cy Reus, a Cambodian criminal and Crips member, has convictions for murder and robbery; he was previously allowed into the U.S. under the Biden administration.
- Raul Maceda Dominguez, from Cuba and associated with the Bloods gang, has a record of multiple murders and robberies.
