U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers conducted arrests of individuals convicted of serious crimes over Christmas Eve and Day. The operations targeted undocumented immigrants involved in offenses such as murder, drug trafficking, and robbery. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the actions as protecting American families.
ICE officers continued their enforcement duties during the Christmas holiday, apprehending several undocumented immigrants with prior convictions for violent and other serious crimes. These arrests occurred on December 24 and 25, focusing on individuals described as the "worst of the worst."
McLaughlin stated, "While families across the country joined together for Christmas celebrations, ICE continued delivering the American people the greatest gift of all: getting criminals out of our neighborhoods and protecting our families." She further noted, "On Christmas Eve and Christmas, our ICE officers arrested gang members, murderers, drug traffickers, and violent thugs. We are thankful for our law enforcement who sacrifice time with their family and put their lives on the line to remove the worst of the worst."
Among those arrested were:
- Samuel Juarez-Cruz from Mexico, convicted of criminal homicide, third-degree murder, and criminal conspiracy to commit homicide in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
- Miguel Gonzalez-Toledo from Cuba, convicted of homicide and drug trafficking in Florida.
- Mohamed Hassan Jeylani from Somalia, convicted of multiple charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest, and operating a vehicle while impaired in Monroe County, New York.
- Lionel Arevalo-Rubio from El Salvador and MS-13 member, convicted of robbery in Los Angeles, California.
- Juan David Vazquez-Reyes from Mexico, convicted of death by auto or vessel in Cumberland County, New Jersey.
- Marcos Archila-Aquino from Guatemala, convicted of aggravated assault with a weapon in Farmington, Utah.
- Juan Zarzoza-Garza from Mexico, convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Edinburg, Texas.
- Yasir Emilio Lohai Ojok from Sudan, convicted of second-degree burglary in Ontario, California.
- Leonardo Miliano from the Dominican Republic, convicted of carrying a loaded firearm without a license in Lynn, Massachusetts.
- Jose Arena-Ojeda from Venezuela, convicted of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and alien smuggling in Brackettville, Texas.
These efforts align with President Donald Trump's campaign promises on immigration enforcement. However, ICE officers have faced increased dangers, with 238 assaults reported from January 21 to November 21, 2025, compared to 19 in the same period of 2024—a 1,153% rise, according to The Washington Examiner. Critics from Democratic leadership have been accused of portraying officers negatively, exacerbating risks.
