U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the arrests of additional criminal illegal aliens across the country, including individuals convicted of offenses such as aggravated sexual assault of a child, sexual battery, and child exploitation-related crimes.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the arrests are part of ongoing enforcement operations targeting individuals identified as public safety threats. Officials said those taken into custody include individuals convicted of crimes involving children, violent offenses, and drug-related activity.
The arrests coincide with the one-year anniversary of the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office, a program operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement that provides resources and support to victims of crimes connected to immigration and their families.
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said the arrests reflect continued enforcement efforts focused on individuals with serious criminal histories.
“The brave men and women of ICE law enforcement continue to target criminal illegal aliens in our communities to prevent another American from being raped, maimed, or murdered by an illegal alien who should have never been in our country,” Bis said. “Yesterday, ICE arrested multiple violent assailants, including one individual convicted of injuring a child. With every arrest, ICE is making American communities safer.”
In additional remarks, Bis said recent enforcement actions included individuals convicted of child exploitation and drug trafficking offenses.
“Yesterday, the heroic men and women of ICE arrested child predators, child rapists, drug traffickers, and other individuals convicted of serious crimes,” Bis said. “Under President Trump, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States. If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, you will be arrested and removed.”
Bis also said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers continue to conduct nationwide operations targeting individuals convicted of violent and sexual crimes.
“Yesterday, the men and women of ICE continued to make American communities safer by arresting individuals convicted of rape, child exploitation, arson, and other serious offenses,” Bis said. “Our officers continue enforcement actions aimed at removing criminal illegal aliens from communities across the country.”
Below are five offenders highlighted by federal authorities:
Pedro Joel Martinez
Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, was convicted in Tarrant County, Texas, of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 years old. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested him during enforcement operations targeting individuals convicted of sexual crimes involving minors.
Miguel Angel Vazquez-Garcia
Vazquez-Garcia, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico pictured above, was convicted in Wilmington, Delaware, of dealing child pornography. Federal officials included him among those taken into custody during operations targeting individuals involved in child exploitation offenses.
Salvador Rayas-Rodriguez
Rayas-Rodriguez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, was convicted in Sacramento, California, of lewd and lascivious acts with a child involving force or injury. Authorities said he was arrested as part of enforcement actions targeting individuals convicted of crimes against minors.
Erik Eusevio Cortez-Leyva
Cortez-Leyva, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, was convicted in McLennan County, Texas, of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested him during ongoing nationwide operations.
Melchor Brito-Lopez
Brito-Lopez, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, was convicted in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, of sexual battery. Federal officials said he was taken into custody as part of enforcement efforts targeting individuals with violent criminal histories.
Department of Homeland Security officials said enforcement operations targeting criminal illegal aliens convicted of violent and sexual offenses remain ongoing nationwide as Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues efforts focused on public safety threats.
