Martin Duarte/Mexico/Child Sex Abuse

In May 2025, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) El Paso arrested Martin Duarte, a Mexican national with a felony conviction for child sexual abuse in El Paso, Texas. Duarte had been serving time in a Texas state facility following his conviction and was taken into ICE custody immediately upon release.

The case against Duarte originated in 2022 when local authorities charged him with the sexual abuse of a minor. Following a thorough investigation and court proceedings, Duarte was found guilty and sentenced to a term in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He was also required to register as a sex offender as a condition of his conviction.

ERO El Paso lodged an immigration detainer during Duarte’s incarceration to ensure he would be transferred directly into federal custody upon completion of his sentence. ICE officers executed the arrest without incident upon his release and transported him to a secure immigration detention facility.

Duarte entered the United States unlawfully and does not possess any legal immigration status. At the time of his arrest, he had no pending applications for relief and had not been granted any lawful presence or parole. He now faces removal proceedings before an immigration judge and will remain in ICE custody during the process. ICE is coordinating with Mexican authorities to arrange his deportation once the legal proceedings conclude.