Ismael Cruz Arredondo/Mexico/Drug Possession

Ismael Cruz Arredondo, a Mexico national living in the country illegally, was taken into custody by ICE agents in Oxford, Wisconsin, on charges of drug possession, unlawful reentry.

Drug possession charges involving illegal aliens frequently result in dual proceedings — a state criminal case and a concurrent federal immigration removal action. Even possession charges can trigger immigration detention when the individual has no lawful status, meaning Arredondo now faces both a criminal prosecution and a separate federal removal proceeding moving on independent timelines.

Following the arrest, Arredondo was transferred to federal immigration detention. Removal proceedings before a Department of Justice immigration judge are pending, with Mexico as the country of removal.