Homeland Newswire Report News


Co-conspirators indicted for roles in global human smuggling conspiracy

Extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), culminated in Interpol Mexico and the Fuerza Estatal de Seguridad Ciudadana (FESC) arresting a human smuggler and a co-conspirator alleged to have operated on the U.S.-Mexico border for several years.


HSI El Paso seizes 10,617 doses of counterfeit prescription drugs imported from Mexico

Special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso seized more than 10,000 doses of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and prescription drugs March 17 from area businesses, including a grocery store and flea market.


HSI McAllen investigation results in Texas man’s guilty plea for receipt of child sexual abuse material

Hugo Benjamin Tijerina, 36, of Pharr, pleaded guilty in federal court March 21 after admitting he received videos and images containing child sexual abuse material on his laptop.


ERO Chicago arrests 17 noncitizens with criminal convictions during nationwide operation

Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Chicago apprehended 17 removable noncitizens identified as having been convicted of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, unlawful possession or use of a firearm, drug distribution or trafficking, or driving under the influence who had been released from incarceration on parole or placed on probation into communities under supervision during a nationwide enforcement effort between March 4 and March 13.


ERO Philadelphia arrests 21 noncitizens with criminal convictions during a nationwide operation

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia apprehended 21 removable noncitizens identified as having been convicted of felony rape, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, unlawful possession or use of a firearm, drug distribution or trafficking, or driving under the influence who had been released from incarceration on parole or placed on probation into communities under supervision during a nation-wide enforcement effort between March 4 and March 13.


Operation Blue Lotus stops more than 900 pounds of fentanyl from entering US in first week

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Operation Blue Lotus, a new and coordinated surge operation targeting fentanyl smuggling, has stopped more than 900 pounds of the drug from entering the United States during its first week.


Texas college student pleads guilty to possession of child pornography after HSI investigation

A South Texas college student pleaded guilty March 21 to possession of child sexual abuse material following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force investigation.


"Suicide Squad" sentenced for trafficking drugs worth over $1.6M following HSI McAllen, federal partner investigation

U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced that three people have been sent to prison for conspiracy to import heroin and fentanyl into the United States from Mexico.


Mexican citizen pleads guilty to firearms smuggling after HSI Del Rio investigation

A Mexican citizen pleaded guilty in federal court March 20 to smuggling firearms and ammunition into Mexico from the United States. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated.


Southern California man sentenced to over 16 years for trafficking counterfeit fentanyl pills

A Southern California man received a lengthy prison sentence for his involvement in trafficking illicit drugs.


ERO Newark arrests 2 noncitizens with criminal convictions during nationwide operation

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Newark apprehended two removable noncitizens, one having been convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and the other convicted of felony endangering the welfare of a child (sexual conduct) during a nationwide enforcement effort from March 4 to March 13.


HSI Eagle Pass investigation results in 84-month sentence for Ecuadorian citizen for possession of child sexual abuse material

A Ecuadorian citizen was sentenced March 16 to seven years in federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse material following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) along with U.S. Border Patrol’s Del Rio Sector.


ERO San Francisco arrests 8 noncitizens with criminal convictions released on parole or placed on probation during nationwide operation

Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) San Francisco apprehended eight removable noncitizens identified as having been convicted of attempted murder, murder second degree, domestic violence, rape by force, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, burglary, unlawful possession or use of a firearm, or drug distribution or trafficking who had been released from incarceration on parole or placed on probation into communities under supervision during a nation-wide enforcement effort from March 4 to March 13.


ERO New York City arrests 27 criminal noncitizens during nationwide operation

Officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New York City apprehended 27 removable noncitizens during a nationwide enforcement effort between March 4 and March 13.


ERO Denver arrests 4 as part of nationwide operation

Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Denver apprehended four removable noncitizens identified as having been convicted of driving under the influence who had been released from incarceration on parole or placed on probation into communities under supervision during a nationwide enforcement effort from March 4 to March 13.


ERO Salt Lake City arrests 13 foreign nationals convicted of violent crimes during nationwide operation

Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Salt Lake City apprehended 13 removable noncitizens identified as having been convicted of assault, arson, burglary, battery, felony lewdness, felony sexual coercion, conspiracy to commit a crime and cruelty to animals during a nationwide enforcement effort from March 4 to March 13.


ERO Los Angeles arrests 25 noncitizens with criminal convictions during a nationwide operation

Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) apprehended 25 criminal noncitizens during a nationwide enforcement effort between March 4 and March 13.


ERO Seattle arrests 3 as part of nationwide operation

Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Seattle office apprehended three removable noncitizens identified as having been convicted of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or driving under the influence, who had been released from incarceration on parole or placed on probation into communities under supervision during a nationwide enforcement effort from March 4 through March 13.


ICE arrests 220 noncitizens with criminal convictions during nationwide operation

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) apprehended 220 removable noncitizens during a nationwide enforcement effort between March 4 and March 13.


ERO Detroit removes fugitive wanted for homicide in Mexico

Deportation officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Detroit removed a Mexican national wanted for homicide in Mexico on March 7.