A recent set of ICE raids in Los Angeles led to the arrest of nearly 45 individuals, including those with serious criminal backgrounds such as sex offenders, drug traffickers, and gang members, according to federal immigration officials.
The arrests took place on Friday when immigration enforcement officers targeted locations in the fashion district, local donut shops, and two Home Depot stores that had previously sparked weekend unrest.
Interestingly, one of those detained has already been deported back to Mexico soon after his encounter at Home Depot.
Another individual, a 55-year-old man from the Philippines named Roland Venellasion Enriquez, has a troubling history, having been sentenced to four years in prison for robbery in Ontario, Canada just a year ago. His record also includes charges related to sexual assault in Pomona, located east of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has strongly criticized the raids. She argued that federal immigration agents instill fear in communities, undermining the foundational values of urban life. Similarly, California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the idea of deploying the National Guard to restore order during the riots, labeling it as deliberately provocative and counterproductive.
Among those apprehended was 42-year-old Jose Gregorio Medlanda Ortiz from Ecuador, who had served time for drug-related offenses, including a lengthy sentence of over 11 years for plotting to distribute cocaine while at sea in Tampa, Florida.
Other individuals arrested included Armando Ordaz, a 44-year-old from Mexico, who had pleaded guilty to sexual assault and received a brief prison sentence along with probation. His record also shows other theft-related convictions in California.
Victor Mendoza Aguilar, also from Mexico and 32 years old, was detained with a history of serious offenses, including assault with a deadly weapon and possession of controlled substances. He has previously been barred from re-entering the U.S. as of 2017.
Delfino Aguilar-Martinez, at 51 years old, has a record in Los Angeles involving assault that resulted in significant injuries, leading to a prison sentence of a year.
Additionally, Jesus Alan Hernandez Morales, a 26-year-old from Mexico, was sent back to his home country on Saturday after serving time for conspiracy related to the transportation of illegal immigrants in Las Luces, New Mexico.
Lastly, Lionel Sanchez Laguna, 55, also from Mexico, was arrested; his criminal record includes firearms charges and various domestic abuse offenses, entailing significant sentences and probation.
