U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed this week that its Enforcement and Removal Operations officers have arrested several of the nation’s most dangerous criminal illegal aliens, including convicted child predators and murderers, despite the ongoing government shutdown. Officials said the latest arrests reflect ICE’s continued focus on removing violent offenders who pose a direct threat to American communities.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commended officers for continuing their work without pay. “These are disgusting and monstrous individuals who prey on the most innocent among us—our children,” McLaughlin said. “Even while the Democrats’ shutdown has withheld paychecks from our law enforcement, ICE continues to deliver on President Trump’s promise to make America safe again.”
ICE officials said the arrests were carried out as part of ongoing enforcement operations targeting violent offenders and repeat lawbreakers. All five individuals will remain in federal custody pending removal proceedings.
The worst of the worst arrested this week include:
Rodolpho Molina-Hernandez, a Mexican national convicted in Butler County, Ohio, of gross sexual imposition and attempted corrupting another with drugs involving a child under the age of 13.
Marco Armando Vasquez-Pillascela, an Ecuadorian national convicted in Newark, New Jersey, of aggravated sexual assault of a minor under 13.
Dilan Fernando Sosa-Gonzalez, a Mexican national convicted in Las Vegas, Nevada, of voluntary manslaughter.
Julian Salinas-Ponce, a Mexican national convicted in Fort Bend County, Texas, of murder and now facing removal proceedings after serving his sentence.
Ricardo Velazquez-Camacho, a Mexican national convicted in El Paso, Texas, of deadly conduct in a firearm-related incident that endangered multiple people.
The Department of Homeland Security said the arrests underscore its commitment to enforcing immigration laws and protecting American citizens from repeat offenders. “Our officers are out there risking their lives every day, even through a shutdown, to take child predators, murderers, and violent criminals off our streets,” McLaughlin said.
Despite political gridlock in Washington, ICE said its officers remain undeterred in their mission to locate, arrest, and remove dangerous individuals from the United States. Officials noted that the agency’s enforcement priorities continue to center on violent criminals, gang members, and those convicted of crimes against children.
