News Summary
In a significant operation led by ICE in Houston, over 350 illegal foreign nationals with confirmed gang affiliations were arrested. These individuals, responsible for numerous criminal activities, highlight the dangers posed by gangs in the area. Notable gangs such as the Paisas, MS-13, and Tren de Aragua were involved. The arrests are a part of the broader strategy to combat illegal immigration and enhance public safety. The operation underscores the rising concern over gang violence and criminal activities in Houston, with many offenders facing serious charges.
Houston – In a significant enforcement operation conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Houston, over 350 illegal foreign nationals with confirmed gang affiliations were arrested during the first half of the Trump administration. A total of 356 individuals were taken into custody, collectively responsible for entering the United States illegally 1,434 times and accumulating 1,685 criminal convictions across various serious offenses.
Gabriel Martinez, the acting Field Office Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Houston, has emphasized the importance of these arrests in preventing violence and protecting communities. The operation aimed to dismantle the networks of violent gangs operating in the area.
Details of the Arrests
Among the gang members arrested, the majority belonged to the Paisas gang, with 159 reported members apprehended. Other notable groups included MS-13, from which 39 members were arrested, and the Tren de Aragua gang, contributing 25 members to the operation. The crackdown targeted more than 40 different gangs operating within the region, including notable names such as Tango Blast, 15th Street Gang, Latin Kings, and Surenos-13.
The range of criminal convictions among these individuals is alarming. The offenses included serious crimes such as:
- Abduction
- Homicide
- Sexual assault
- Sexual assault of a child
- Promotion of child pornography
- Aggravated assault
- Domestic violence
- Burglary
- Alien smuggling
- Sex trafficking
- Organized crime
- Drug trafficking
- Drug possession
- Arson
- Trespassing
- Unlawful possession of a firearm
- Illegal entry and reentry
- Fraud
- Escape and evading arrest
Notable Offenders
Among those arrested, several individuals had extensive criminal backgrounds that highlighted the serious nature of their offenses:
- Jonathan Morales-Abundis, a member of Surenos-13, illegally entered the U.S. 29 times and had three convictions for illegal reentry.
- Juan Manuel Cayetano-Vasquez, also a Surenos-13 member, entered the country illegally 13 times and was convicted multiple times for drug possession and other crimes.
- Luis Alberto Hernandez, a Latin Kings member, had four convictions linked to domestic violence.
- Milton Alexander Magana Fuentes, a Paisas gang member, was already a registered sex offender with convictions for sexual indecency involving a child.
- Ronald Alberto Rivas-Aguilar, associated with MS-13, faced homicide charges.
- Luis Fernando Nava-Garcia from the Paisas gang had entered the U.S. illegally 40 times but only faced two convictions for illegal reentry.
Over 200 of the arrested individuals were charged or convicted of sex crimes, underscoring the gravity of the gang issues facing the Houston area. As part of this operation, hundreds of Mexican nationals with extensive criminal records were removed from the city.
Background Context
The arrests conducted by ICE fall within the broader strategy of the Trump administration to tackle illegal immigration and enhance public safety by focusing on gang-related activities. Gangs pose significant challenges to community safety, and the law enforcement community has increasingly prioritized initiatives targeting gang operations in urban areas like Houston.
The data from this operation reflects not only the illegal immigration crisis but also the complexity of dealing with violent criminal activities that are often intertwined with gang affiliations. As local authorities continue to collaborate with federal agencies like ICE, operations of this nature are expected to continue as a means to combat gang violence and illegal immigration.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Houston Task Force Established to Combat Transnational Crime
ICE Conducts Large-Scale Arrests in Houston
Additional Resources
- NBC News
- Wikipedia: Gang
- CNN
- Google Search: ICE gang arrests Houston
- Miami Herald
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Prisoner Reentry
- Reuters
- Google News: ICE gang arrests
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
HOUSTON STAFF WRITER The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
