ICE arrests 356 illegal immigrant gang members in Houston area during first 6 months of Trump admin

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested 356 illegal immigrant gang members in Houston, Texas, during the first six months of President Donald Trump’s administration, the agency announced. The individuals collectively entered the United States illegally 1,434 times and have been convicted of 1,685 criminal offenses, including murder, child sexual abuse, theft, and arson. One man alone had illegally entered the country 40 times.

The arrests are part of the administration’s effort to target “the worst of the worst” criminal illegal immigrants for arrest and deportation, with the stated goal of bolstering national security, protecting public safety, and restoring integrity to the nation’s immigration system.

“Despite attempts by some to undermine the courageous work being done by our officers, the brave men and women of ICE continue to put their lives on the line every day to arrest violent transnational gang members, foreign fugitives and dangerous criminal aliens,” ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston acting Field Office Director Gabriel Martinez said in a statement. “In just the past couple of years in Houston, transnational gang members were responsible for brutally raping and murdering an innocent 12-year-old girl on her way to the store. Our officers know their efforts can help prevent atrocities like that from [ever] occurring again and they won’t rest until they’re all gone.”

Among those arrested was Milton Alexander Magana Fuentes, 31, a child predator and gang member from El Salvador who entered the US illegally four times. While in the country, he was convicted of sexual indecency with a child, failure to register as a sex offender, illegal reentry, and illegal entry.

Also arrested was Humberto Romero Avila, 45, a gang member from Mexico who illegally entered the US 10 times. He was deported to Mexico in February, where he is wanted for homicide. In the US, he was convicted of four DWIs, larceny, illegal reentry, and illegal entry.

Another was Jose Angel Martinez, 39, a child predator gang member from Mexico who illegally entered the country five times. His convictions include sexual indecency with a minor, aggravated assault of a family member, resisting arrest, burglary, drug possession, and obstructing police.

ICE said the arrests included members of more than 40 gangs, including MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and Paisas.