Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Friday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a large-scale arrest operation in the Twin Cities area, targeting criminal illegal immigrants. The operation resulted in the apprehension of numerous individuals with violent histories, including several child abusers and murderers. One of the most severe cases involved Aldrin Guerrero-Mun, a Mexican national who has been serving a 32-year prison sentence in the U.S. since 2004 for the intentional murder of his 3-month-old son. During his incarceration, Guerrero-Mun was further convicted of assaulting another inmate at Stillwater Prison, leading to ICE’s involvement in his removal. Noem, in a statement, condemned the so-called ‘sanctuary cities’ and their refusal to cooperate with ICE, emphasizing that such policies endanger American citizens by allowing dangerous individuals to remain in the country. The secretary also highlighted that 70% of ICE’s arrests involve illegal immigrants with criminal records, underscoring the agency’s focus on public safety. The arrests included other alleged sex offenders, drug traffickers, and repeat offenders from various countries, reflecting ICE’s broader efforts to curb illegal immigration and ensure the safety of the U.S. population. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ALLEGEDLY CAUSES FATAL SEMI-TRUCK CRASH ON HIGHWAY, KILLING DRIVER: OFFICIALS
Other criminal illegal immigrants arrested in the area include: Francisco Javier Garcia-Olivar of Mexico, who has multiple convictions, including sexual assault and sodomy of a child; Jose Ruben Gomez Munoz of Mexico, charged with sexual assault and incest with a minor; Humberto Us-Juarez of Guatemala, convicted of molestation of a minor and aggravated felony sex assault; Jose Israel Hernandez Rivas of El Salvador, convicted of human slavery or trafficking and commercial sex; Manuel Betancourt-Renteria of Mexico, with 10 convictions including assault and drug possession; Nicolas Lopez Juarez of Guatemala, convicted of aggravated assault with a weapon and driving under the influence; Juan Alejo-Alejo of Mexico, convicted of homicide by reckless driving and driving under the influence; and David Antonio Gonzalez Rivas of El Salvador, who had convictions for drug possession and fleeing police. Pedro Cortez Soriano of Mexico was also arrested, with a history of criminal vehicular homicide and multiple driving under the influence charges. These arrests are part of ICE’s ongoing efforts to enforce immigration laws and protect the safety of American citizens.
Secretary Noem argued that these individuals pose a threat to public safety and that the so-called ‘sanctuary cities’ policies, which prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, enable such criminals to remain in the U.S. without legal oversight. The secretary also noted that the statistics on ICE arrests reflect a significant portion of the agency’s workload, with 70% of arrests involving illegal immigrants with criminal records. These figures, she said, do not capture foreign fugitives or individuals with convictions abroad. The crackdown in the Twin Cities is part of a larger strategy by ICE to combat illegal immigration and address the growing concerns about crime in communities where many of these individuals have settled. The operation demonstrates the agency’s commitment to prioritizing public safety over political considerations, as Noem asserted that under the previous administration, such priorities were sometimes subsumed by ‘moral superiority’ and ‘political correctness.’ The arrests highlight the complex and often contentious debate over immigration policy and law enforcement collaboration, as critics argue that this approach risks alienating communities and exacerbating tensions over the issue of illegal immigration.
These arrests also align with broader public sentiment and political discourse regarding immigration reform. Many conservative lawmakers and policymakers have long advocated for stricter immigration enforcement, citing the need to protect national security and the safety of American citizens. The ICE operation in the Twin Cities is emblematic of this approach, demonstrating the government’s resolve to uphold its immigration laws and apprehend those who pose a risk to society. However, the controversy surrounding these arrests also underscores the ongoing challenges in balancing immigration enforcement with the rights and needs of communities affected by these policies. The situation thus continues to be a focal point of political debate, with advocates on both sides of the issue emphasizing the importance of addressing illegal immigration while ensuring due process and respect for the rights of all individuals within the United States.