HOUSTON, Texas — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Houston announced the arrest of 277 criminal illegal aliens, who collectively have been convicted of 751 criminal offenses and illegally entered the U.S. 654 times.
The arrests, conducted between April 6 and April 17, included 17 child predators, six murderers, 16 drug traffickers, 15 gang members or associates, 67 robbers, two foreign fugitives wanted for murder, and 11 aliens convicted of hit-and-run, according to ICE. The operation was carried out with assistance from federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.
“President Trump and Secretary Mullin know that when ICE works with local and state law enforcement partners, that communities are safer, illegal aliens are arrested, and the American people are protected,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston acting Field Office Director Paul McBride. “Thanks to those relationships, we’ve removed hundreds of dangerous criminal illegal alien child predators, murderers, drug traffickers, gang members, and thieves from the local community in just two weeks and prevented an untold number of U.S. citizens from becoming victims.”
McBride warned that limiting cooperation with ICE could have immediate impacts on public safety, national security, and border security. “Tragically, the worst impact will be felt in the migrant community that these same officials claim they’re protecting, because that’s where criminal illegal aliens commit the majority of their offenses,” he continued.
Among those arrested were Haydee Mercado-Rodriguez, a 34-year-old MS-13 gang member from El Salvador, and Minh Duy Tong Nguyen, a 54-year-old convicted murderer from Vietnam. Both remain in ICE custody pending removal to their respective countries.
Other notable arrests include Carlos Carmona-Palomo, a 29-year-old wanted for homicide in Mexico, and Luis Hernandez Martinez, a 48-year-old twice-deported murderer from Mexico. Both were deported following their arrests.
The operation also led to the arrest of several convicted child predators, including Pedro Joel Martinez, a 52-year-old from El Salvador, and Antonio Martinez Campos, a 53-year-old from Mexico. Both remain in ICE custody pending removal.
ICE emphasized the importance of collaboration with local and state law enforcement in maintaining community safety and preventing further crimes by criminal illegal aliens.