Criminals Without Borders: ICE's Recent Catches

In a series of operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken into custody several individuals who are not only in the country illegally but also have serious criminal backgrounds.

Notable Arrests

Bou Khathavong

Nationality: Dual citizen of Laos and Thailand
Arrest Date: July 25 in Philadelphia
Criminal Record: Conviction for conspiring to murder a teenager with a baseball bat

Santiago Geovany Garcia-Rosales

Age: 35
Nationality: Guatemalan
Arrest Date: July 28 by ICE Houston
Criminal Record: Conviction for failing to stop and render aid in a fatal hit-and-run incident in Harris County, Texas

Hector Bonaparte-Contreras

Age: 42
Nationality: Mexican
Arrest Date: July 24
Criminal Record: Conviction for sexually assaulting a child under 13 years old in Chicago

Julio Armando Gomez-Fernandez

Nationality: Mexican
Arrest Date: July 27 in Dallas
Criminal Record: Convictions for possession of meth with intent to distribute and unlawful re-entry into the country

Manuel Loja

Age: 38
Nationality: Ecuadorian
Arrest Date: July 24 by ICE in Newark
Criminal Record: Convictions for cruelty and neglect of children

DHS Statement

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 70% of ICE arrests involve individuals with criminal convictions or pending charges. The DHS statement emphasized that these operations are prioritizing the removal of public safety threats from American communities.

Criticism and Debate

Critics argue that the current administration's policies have led to an increase in such arrests, with some blaming the Biden administration for allowing dangerous criminals to enter the country. However, others point out that these issues have been ongoing and require comprehensive immigration reform.