ICE Arrests Thousands During Government Shutdown

HOUSTON, Texas — Recently, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revealed that around 3,600 undocumented individuals were detained in Houston throughout a six-week government shutdown led by Democrats. According to Homeland Security officials, these arrests primarily focused on “the worst of the worst,” targeting convicted felons, gang members from MS-13, kidnappers, and those who had been deported multiple times previously.

Collaboration between Breitbart Texas and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) occurred during the shutdown, including a nighttime enforcement initiative that marked a first for ICE Houston. In just four hours before a rainstorm, ERO agents apprehended around 40 illegal immigrants, which notably included a couple of drunk drivers.

By the end of the shutdown, ICE agents, along with federal and state law enforcement, apprehended 3,593 undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds. Many of these were labeled “the worst of the worst” by DHS officials.

The Department of Homeland Security disclosed a shortlist of some of these individuals:

Notable arrests in the Houston area comprise:

Leo Michel Acosta Sanchez, an undocumented person from Mexico, wanted under an Interpol Red Notice. Charged with aggravated intentional homicide.

Angel Gabriel Ramirez Robles, another undocumented from Mexico, has been deported twice and is convicted of sexual assault against a child.

Ramiro Ricardo Maldonado-Trevino, an MS-13 gang member from Mexico, with multiple illegal entries into the U.S., convicted of alien smuggling.

Noi Lee, from Cambodia, found guilty of crimes including kidnapping, robbery, and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Gustavo Chacha Cano, a Mexican national, convicted of aggravated sexual violence against children.

Hector Eugenio Ramirez Martínez, a Honduran immigrant, found guilty of sexual obscenity towards a child.

Philomin Palacios Godino, a Mexican criminal immigrant, wanted for illegal re-entry, has been deported twice before and has convictions for indecent acts and DUI.

Jose Angel Maldonado Salazar, a Mexican undocumented immigrant, previously deported, charged with sexual assault and DUI.

Hector Rubio-Garcia, a Mexican national, previously deported, charged with indecent acts and evading arrest.

Juan Antonio Hernandez Sanchez, a Mexican, expelled from the U.S. twice previously and found guilty of multiple sexual assault charges.

Brayan Jose Cruz Mendez, from Honduras, charged with online solicitation of minors.

Jose Luis Martinez Hernandez, a Mexican national, convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Milton Enrique Peralta Robles, an El Salvadorian immigrant, guilty of invasive visual recording.

Adan Arellano Martinez, a Mexican national, convicted of sexual obscenity towards children.

Manuel Fonseca-Sanchez, another Mexican immigrant, charged with sexual obscenity towards a child.

Mariano Yanez Conejo, also from Mexico, found guilty of serious sexual assault against a child.

Oscar Adrian Lucas Paxter, a Guatemalan, charged with sexual assault against minors.

Valentin Zamudio Flores, a Mexican national, convicted of sexual obscenity.

Jose Luis Contreras Cabrera, from Honduras, found guilty of indecent assault.

Jonathan Eduardo Rangel Salazar, a previously deported Mexican undocumented individual, charged with online solicitation of minors.

Other notable arrests included:

• Selvin Joel Lara Diaz, a deported child predator with ties to the Mexican Mafia, was arrested on October 29 after being discovered hiding in a grocery store.
• Marlon Odile Gómez Hernandez, a 29-year-old Salvadoran alleged MS-13 member, was caught after evading arrest during an enforcement operation on October 27.
• Salvador Ramirez-Carrillo, a previously deported gangster from Mexico, apprehended for aggravated assault.
• Ronnie Andy Martinez-Lopez, a Honduran immigrant, arrested for child-related crimes.
• Vongpachan Fotisam, a 53-year-old Laotian found guilty of sexual exploitation of a minor.
• Ray David Bautista-Antonio, a 27-year-old Mexican, arrested for multiple DUI offenses.

Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, remarked that under the current administration, the U.S. has the most secure border in its history, highlighting a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal immigration.

During a recent ride-along with Breitbart, ERO Houston Deputy Director Larry Adams explained that they utilize advanced software to identify areas with high numbers of undocumented individuals and criminal activities. “We found approximately 800 potential targets in just a one-mile radius,” he explained. The agency strategically focuses on high-crime regions during enforcement operations.

Adams noted that this method represents a shift from past practices, emphasizing a legal and systematic approach. Enforcement operations are tailored to target varying categories of crimes, including aggravated felons and sexual offenders.

The Trump administration has launched a comprehensive strategy to tackle large-scale deportations involving multiple agencies, from local police to federal agents, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in these efforts. Bradford expressed that while it’s impossible to prevent all future crimes, these operations saved lives and reduced the potential trauma victims might face.