The Trump Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has condemned a Democratic judge for what it described as ‘activism to a whole new level’ by allegedly harboring an illegal immigrant suspected of being a member of the Tren de Aragua gang. Federal authorities arrested Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a Venezuelan national, at the home of former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose Luis ‘Joel’ Cano and his wife, Nancy Ann Cano, in February after he pled guilty to illegally possessing firearms and conspiracy to destroy evidence.
According to the Justice Department, Ortega-Lopez, who illegally entered the U.S. during the Biden administration, is a suspected member of the Tren de Aragua gang, a Venezuela-based transnational criminal group recently designated a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration. Federal agents received a tip in January that Ortega-Lopez was living with other illegal immigrants on a property belonging to Cano, who was still a judge at the time, and his wife.
During a February 28 search of the Cano residence, authorities seized four guns and three cellphones linked to Ortega-Lopez. The search revealed incriminating communications, including messages linked to Ortega’s alleged gang affiliations and gun-related activities. Judge Cano resigned in March, and both he and his wife were arrested on April 24, facing charges of evidence tampering and conspiracy to tamper with evidence. They were released on $10,000 bonds and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Commenting on the case, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the judge’s actions, accusing him of subverting U.S. law to shield criminal illegal immigrants. She criticized the Biden administration for allowing the illegal immigrant to enter the country and claimed the situation highlights a broader pattern of ‘sanctuary politicians’ undermining federal law enforcement efforts. McLaughlin emphasized that the Trump administration is prioritizing American safety by addressing such threats.
Further investigations revealed that Nancy Cano, the judge’s wife, allegedly used a black iPhone to communicate with Ortega-Lopez through WhatsApp and FaceTime, helping him evade detection. A forensic analysis of the recovered devices confirmed the presence of incriminating material, including communications linking Ortega to the Tren de Aragua gang and images of him with firearms. This evidence, along with the physical destruction of the phone, contributed to the case against both Cano and his wife.
The incident has reignited debates over immigration policy and the role of judges in U.S. law enforcement. Critics argue that the case highlights the need for stricter border controls and enforcement of immigration laws, while others caution against excessive political polarization in such matters. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has positioned itself as a key player in the fight against transnational criminal networks, including those based in South America.