During the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, a relentless operation unfolded in Southeast Texas. Despite working without pay, agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Houston arrested over 3,500 individuals identified as criminal aliens.
This six-week enforcement surge, spanning October through November, represented one of the agency’s largest actions in recent years. It wasn’t simply about numbers; it was a focused effort to safeguard communities, even amidst internal financial hardship.
The arrests weren’t of those simply crossing borders, but of individuals with deeply troubling criminal histories. Among those apprehended were 67 sex offenders, 51 accused child predators, and 13 individuals charged with murder.
Gang activity was a significant focus, with 23 members of notorious groups like MS-13 and Paisas taken into custody. The operation also targeted repeat offenders and those with convictions ranging from aggravated assault to human trafficking.
One case highlighted the potential consequences of policy decisions. Brayan Josue Pineda-Ayala, an MS-13 gang member from Honduras, was released into the U.S. earlier in the year and later allegedly committed a triple homicide in Dallas County. ICE agents arrested him in October.
Another arrest involved Froilan Mejia Olveram, a convicted rapist from Mexico. He had been encountered by ICE agents previously but released due to current enforcement guidelines, only to commit another violent crime shortly after.
The sweep also led to the apprehension of Baldomero Perez-Quezada, a four-time removed child predator from Mexico, and Marco Dubon-Ayala, convicted of sexual indecency with a child. These arrests underscored the ongoing threat posed by repeat offenders.
Ten fugitives wanted for serious crimes, both within the U.S. and internationally, were also brought into custody. Among them was Octavio Cruz-Garcia, wanted for homicide in Harris County, Texas, and two Honduran brothers sought for murder back in their home country.
The dedication of the ICE team was unwavering, according to field office director Bret Bradford. Agents continued their dangerous work, driven by a commitment to public safety despite the uncertainty of their own paychecks.
The operation’s impact extended beyond immediate arrests. It removed thousands of violent criminals from local communities, preventing further harm and ensuring those accused of heinous crimes would face justice.
Fifty-one child predators are now off the streets, unable to inflict further suffering. Ten fugitives will answer for their alleged crimes, and countless other dangerous individuals have been removed from the United States, offering a measure of relief to communities across Southeast Texas.
