U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced another round of arrests this week targeting some of the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens in the country. The arrests come as the government shutdown—now the longest in American history—continues, with immigration enforcement operations proceeding nationwide under the Department of Homeland Security.
According to DHS, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers carried out coordinated actions across multiple states, apprehending offenders convicted of rape, sexual assault, aggravated assault, and drug trafficking. Officials said the arrests demonstrate the agency’s continued focus on removing violent offenders who threaten public safety, even amid reduced federal operations.
“Sex offenders. Violent thugs. Drug traffickers. These are just a few of the scumbags here illegally who we have arrested thanks to President Trump,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “President Trump and I have a clear message to those in our country illegally: LEAVE NOW. If you do not self-deport, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and deport you. Download the FREE CBP Home App today to self-deport.”
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin praised ICE law enforcement for continuing their mission through the shutdown.
“Unlike the Democrats—who perpetuated the longest government shutdown in American history—ICE law enforcement officers are hard at work for the American people,” McLaughlin said. “While Americans were enjoying their weekends, our brave ICE law enforcement were arresting child rapists, murderers, kidnappers, robbers, and drug traffickers. President Trump and Secretary Noem’s message is clear: If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, you WILL be arrested and deported. And you will NEVER return.”
The five arrested individuals include:
Manuel Emilio Lora-Troncoso, a criminal illegal alien pictured above from the Dominican Republic, convicted of two counts of rape of a child with force and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old in Woburn, Massachusetts.
Abukadir Mohamed Haji, a criminal illegal alien from Somalia, convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim under 13 in St. Charles, Illinois.
Joel Rojas-Peraves, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of continuous sexual abuse of a child in San Bernardino, California.
Modesto Morales-Bernabe, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of third-degree sex assault in Gunnison County, Colorado.
Mario Joel Marquez, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted of assault and two counts of aggravated assault in Davidson County, Tennessee.
McLaughlin said the arrests highlight how ICE continues to protect communities despite political gridlock in Washington. “These operations make America safer every day,” she said. “President Trump and Secretary Noem have unleashed ICE to target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens—and nothing, not even a government shutdown, will stop that mission.”
