U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that its Harlingen, Texas, field office arrested 238 illegal immigrants in a single-day operation on June 18, setting a record for targeted arrests in the Rio Grande Valley. The arrests were part of an enforcement effort aimed at removing criminal illegal immigrants from communities to enhance public safety, according to ICE.
Among those arrested were individuals with convictions for sexual battery, attempted kidnapping, drug possession, and gang affiliations. Notably, Manuel Morales-Geronimo, a Mexican national identified as a Paisas gang member, was arrested. He had prior convictions for assault, drug possession, and illegal reentry. Another arrestee, Jose Alfredo Castillo-Mendoza, was convicted of attempted kidnapping, sexual battery, and illegal reentry.
ICE Harlingen Field Office Director Juan Agudelo stated that the agency's mission focuses on enhancing public safety and restoring integrity to the nation’s immigration system. The operation was conducted in partnership with local, state, and federal law enforcement officials.
The arrests come amid broader enforcement efforts under the Trump administration, which has prioritized the removal of criminal illegal immigrants. In a separate operation, ICE’s Houston office reported arresting 735 criminal illegal immigrants in May, collectively accounting for 1,711 criminal convictions.
The arrested individuals face additional charges for illegal reentry into the United States.