U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged detainers against three Venezuelan migrants accused of capital murder in Texas. The suspects, Yosguar Aponte Jimenez, Jose Trivino-Cruz, and Jesus Bellorin-Guzman, are linked to the June 20 shooting death of Santiago Lopez Morales at a Motel 6 in Garland, Texas. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized the Biden administration for releasing the individuals into the U.S., emphasizing the severity of their crimes.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the three suspects were involved in the June 20 shooting that resulted in the death of 48-year-old Santiago Lopez Morales at a Motel 6 in Garland. The DHS also stated that these individuals were released into the U.S. by the Biden administration, raising concerns about the integrity of the immigration process. The agency’s Assistant Secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, condemned the release of these individuals, calling them ‘depraved criminal illegal aliens’ and emphasizing the need to remove them from the country after they face justice for their heinous crimes.
Additional details about the case reveal that the suspects are also linked to an aggravated robbery at a Deluxe Inn located about a mile away from the Motel 6. According to local media reports, the victim described how two Hispanic males forced their way into her home at gunpoint, made her undress, and assaulted her before stealing jewelry, cash, and an ID. The suspects later admitted to Garland detectives that they planned to meet with prostitutes to rob them of their money and valuables, with Jimenez claiming they performed more than 25 robberies.
The case has drawn significant attention, particularly due to the involvement of state troopers in an immigration crackdown. A Republican governor has approved the participation of state troopers in ICE’s immigration enforcement efforts, reflecting a broader political movement against illegal immigration. The bonds for the three suspects have been set at $1.5 million, $2.25 million, and $3.25 million, respectively, underscoring the seriousness of the charges and the potential financial burden on their families and legal representatives.
Homeland Security has detailed the illegal entries of each suspect into the U.S. Jimenez crossed the southern border illegally on May 3, 2023, and was released into the U.S. by the Biden administration. Trivino-Cruz entered the U.S. illegally unvetted via the CBP One app on October 9, 2024, and was also released into the country by the Biden administration. Bellorin-Guzman illegally entered the U.S. unvetted via the CBP One app on January 6, 2025, and was released into the country by the Biden administration.
The DHS statement highlights the systemic failures within the immigration system, suggesting that the release of individuals without proper vetting has led to serious criminal activities. The agency’s public statement aims to underscore the consequences of lax immigration enforcement, reinforcing the government’s stance on stricter controls and the need for accountability in the immigration process.