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Former Rwandan genocide perpetrator charged with immigration fraud following ICE investigation

By |2026-02-24T23:27:26-05:00February 24th, 2026|

Vincent Nzigiyimfura, 65, was indicted on charges of visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud for concealing his role as a perpetrator of genocide when applying for U.S. residency and citizenship. According to court documents, Nzigiyimfura allegedly organized violence against Tutsis during Rwanda's 1994 genocide and was previously convicted in absentia by a Rwandan court. An ICE official stated that HSI is committed to pursuing justice for victims of genocide by ensuring perpetrators "cannot hide in Ohio."

ICE leads investigation as 4 Mexican nationals charged in international smuggling conspiracy bringing migrants from Canada into the US

By |2026-02-24T23:27:26-05:00February 24th, 2026|

Four Mexican nationals unlawfully in the United States were charged with conspiracy to smuggle hundreds of migrants weekly from Mexico, Central America, and South America through Canada and into northern New York. The defendants allegedly charged migrants thousands of dollars each for transportation and engaged in dangerous high-speed vehicle chases with law enforcement during transport operations. The smuggling organization operated for approximately two years across Mexico, Canada, and the United States, creating what investigators described as grave public safety risks.

MS-13 Member Sentenced to Over 12 Years for Kidnapping, Witness Retaliation, and a Firearms Offense

By |2026-02-24T23:27:25-05:00February 24th, 2026|

Bayron Wuifredo Santos-Recarte, 27, a Honduran national unlawfully in the United States and MS-13 member, was sentenced to 147 months (over 12 years) in prison for kidnapping, retaliating against a federal witness, and unlawful possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Santos-Recarte and MS-13 associates kidnapped a former federal witness — who had testified against gang members at a prior racketeering trial — at gunpoint from a Nashville, Tennessee laundromat parking lot on November 5, 2023, then assaulted him with a firearm, hammer, and machete while questioning him about his testimony. The victim sustained fractured bones, internal bleeding, and a kidney injury before escaping.

Guatemalan Man Unlawfully Residing in the United States and Convicted of Sexual Battery Indicted for Fraudulently Obtaining Custody of an Unaccompanied Alien Child

By |2026-02-24T23:27:24-05:00February 24th, 2026|

Juan Tiul Xi, 26, a Guatemalan national illegally residing in Cleveland who entered the U.S. in 2023, was indicted on charges of encouraging or inducing illegal entry for financial gain, making false statements, and aggravated identity theft. According to the indictment, Tiul Xi allegedly encouraged a 14-year-old Guatemalan girl to enter the U.S. illegally using his sister's identity as an alias, then falsely claimed to the Office of Refugee Resettlement that he was the girl's brother in order to obtain custody of her as a sponsor of an unaccompanied alien child. Tiul Xi was previously convicted of sexual battery, and his sentencing was scheduled for March 19, 2026.

Who is Gerson Fuentes? Undocumented Immigrant Charged With Ohio Child Rape

By |2026-02-24T23:27:24-05:00February 24th, 2026|

Gerson Fuentes, a 27-year-old Guatemalan national living illegally in Columbus, Ohio, was arrested and charged with rape after police said he confessed to raping a 10-year-old girl on at least two occasions, with the alleged assault occurring on May 12, 2022. The case drew national attention because the victim had to travel to Indiana to obtain an abortion after Ohio's six-week abortion ban took effect following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision. Fuentes was ultimately convicted and sentenced to life in prison, with eligibility to seek parole after 25 to 30 years under the terms of his plea.

Guatemalan alien illegally residing in the US and convicted of sexual battery indicted for fraudulently obtaining custody of an unaccompanied alien child in the United States

By |2026-02-24T23:27:23-05:00February 24th, 2026|

Juan Tiul Xi, a 26-year-old Guatemalan national illegally residing in Cleveland, was indicted following a joint ICE and law enforcement partner investigation for allegedly smuggling a 14-year-old Guatemalan girl into the United States and then fraudulently obtaining custody of her through the Office of Refugee Resettlement by falsely claiming familial relations and submitting documents with a stolen identity. Tiul Xi faces charges including encouraging illegal entry for financial gain, making false statements, and aggravated identity theft, with potential penalties totaling up to 17 years in prison if convicted on all counts. This ICE press release emphasizes the agency's investigative role in uncovering the fraudulent UAC sponsorship scheme.

ICE’s 287(g) Partnership with Oklahoma Highway Patrol Nets 120 Illegal Alien Arrests, 91 Driving with CDL Licenses, in 3-Day Operation

By |2026-02-24T23:27:21-05:00February 24th, 2026|

From September 22-25, ICE officers collaborated with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol on a traffic enforcement operation along I-40 in western Oklahoma, resulting in 120 immigration-related arrests. Of those arrested, 91 were operating commercial motor vehicles with commercial driver licenses, while 27 were detained from passenger vehicles and 2 from a nearby marijuana grow operation. The individuals arrested had prior convictions including DUI, illegal reentry, money laundering, human smuggling, and drug-related offenses.

Mexican National and Violent Repeat Offender Sentenced

By |2026-02-24T23:27:21-05:00February 24th, 2026|

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Jose Luis Moreno-Yanez, 39, a Mexican national, to 78 months in federal prison for Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien, with 39 months to run consecutively to existing state sentences. In May and June 2023, after illegally re-entering the U.S., Moreno-Yanez was charged in two separate state cases for robbery with a firearm, and was additionally convicted of drug possession and assault and battery, receiving concurrent state sentences of 18 and 20 years. He also pleaded guilty to violating supervised release terms and received an additional 24-month sentence; upon release, he faces removal proceedings.

Mexican National Sentenced for Unlawful Reentry After Pleading Guilty to Possessing Stolen Vehicle and Drugs

By |2026-02-24T23:27:21-05:00February 24th, 2026|

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Rodrigo Chacon Villegas, 36, a Mexican national, to 18 months in federal prison for Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien, following four prior removals from the United States. In November 2024, Chacon Villegas was arrested at the Tulsa County Jail after being found driving a stolen vehicle and in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana; in state court he received a two-year suspended sentence. Following his federal sentence he is expected to face removal proceedings.

Six Foreign Nationals Sentenced for Unlawfully Reentering the United States

By |2026-02-24T23:27:20-05:00February 24th, 2026|

Six foreign nationals — five Mexican and one Guatemalan — were sentenced in the Northern District of Oklahoma for Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien, with sentences ranging from 8 to 57 months in federal prison. Among them, Julio Martinez-Perez, 36, received 57 months, the longest sentence, having previously been deported in 2016 after a federal conviction for Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin. None of the defendants had sought or received permission from the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission, and all are expected to face removal proceedings upon release.

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