Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents continued making arrests of foreign nationals with serious criminal convictions during the federal government shutdown. DHS announced the apprehension of individuals convicted of crimes including child sexual abuse, manslaughter, domestic violence, and drug trafficking. The Department emphasized that officers continued risking their lives to arrest criminal illegal aliens despite not receiving pay.

ICE conducted enforcement operations targeting individuals unlawfully present in the United States who have prior criminal convictions. Those apprehended had records involving sexual offenses against minors, narcotics violations, driving under the influence, and violent felonies including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The Department of Homeland Security stated the operation reflects its commitment to removing the most dangerous illegal aliens from American communities.

Over a single weekend, ICE arrested multiple individuals unlawfully present in the United States who carried prior criminal convictions for violent offenses. The individuals apprehended had records including sexual assault, robbery, manslaughter, and human trafficking charges. DHS stated the arrests demonstrate the administration's commitment to public safety by removing criminal illegal aliens.

The Department of Homeland Security announced the arrests of five individuals unlawfully present in the United States who had serious prior criminal convictions. Among those apprehended were individuals convicted of second-degree murder, child sexual abuse material distribution, first-degree sexual abuse of a minor, and assault by strangulation across multiple states. DHS stated the operation was part of ongoing efforts to remove convicted criminal aliens from American communities.

Solamon Flores-Garcia, 43, a Mexican national previously deported and residing illegally in Monroe, North Carolina, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for carjacking and possession and brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. On October 24, 2023, Flores-Garcia pointed a handgun at a neighbor, demanded her wallet and car keys, and then proceeded to rob a local store with the stolen vehicle. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson for the Western District of North Carolina in July 2025.

A third suspect, Eleodoro "Leo" Estrada-Hernandez, was arrested and charged with kidnapping-for-ransom after he and accomplices targeted a family in Garner, North Carolina. The suspects overpowered the husband, restrained him, and demanded $1 million ransom before abducting the mother and her 13-month-old child. The mother and infant were later found safe on a dirt road approximately 30 miles from their home.

Marcelo Soto-Luna, a Mexican citizen, was sentenced to seven months in prison for immigration fraud after falsely denying prior sexual crimes on a DACA application. He had previously been convicted in North Carolina's Wake County Superior Court of three counts of indecent liberties with a child, involving a 7-year-old victim. Soto-Luna will be subject to removal from the United States following completion of his sentence.

Two individuals described as illegal immigrants broke into a North Carolina home, demanded $1 million, and kidnapped a mother and her 11-month-old daughter at gunpoint after the father refused to pay. The victims were recovered safely the following day, but authorities launched an FBI manhunt for a third suspect who remained at large. Two suspects were taken into custody in connection with the kidnapping.

Victor Villalba-Bustamante, a 41-year-old Mexican national, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff's Office and Sanford Police Department in North Carolina on April 9 after authorities found him with a 14-year-old missing girl in a hotel room. He faces charges including statutory rape, kidnapping, and child abduction, and ICE Homeland Security Investigations lodged an immigration detainer to keep him in custody. Investigators are also examining the case for potential human trafficking involvement.

The U.S. Department of Justice secured the extradition of 14 fugitives from 10 countries including Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, facing charges ranging from murder and drug trafficking to cybercrime and gang racketeering. Among those extradited was the alleged leader of the MS-13 gang and a developer for the LockBit ransomware group responsible for attacks on thousands of victims worldwide. The extraditions were made possible through cooperation with law enforcement partners across the participating countries.