ICE El Paso arrests 38 illegal aliens, encounters 3 children at construction sites during 9-day, multiagency operation

EL PASO, Texas — ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations El Paso, in coordination with its law enforcement partners, arrested 38 illegal aliens, fugitives, convicted criminal aliens and illegal aliens charged with illegal reentry during a targeted enforcement operation between Jan. 11 and 19. They also encountered and rescued three children working illegally at construction sites in the area. “We will continue to aggressively pursue criminal investigations and enforce immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety,” said ICE El Paso acting Field Office Director Joel Garcia. “These ongoing, routine enforcement operations and arrests underscore ICE’s unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who violate U.S. immigration law and threaten the safety of our communities.” During the nine-day operation, which stemmed from intelligence gathered throughout December, ICE apprehended 38 illegal aliens at three construction sites in El Paso, Texas, and Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Among those arrested were four individuals charged with felony illegal reentry and two ICE fugitives with final orders of removal. Officers also encountered and rescued three illegal alien children, ages 15, 16 and 17, who were unlawfully employed at various construction sites. ICE transferred them to Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement’s custody. In addition, eight of the aliens arrested had prior criminal histories, including convictions for assault causing bodily injury to a family member, driving while intoxicated and failure to identify as a fugitive from justice. Officials also apprehended one individual with an active warrant for deceptive business practice, turned the person over to local law enforcement, and lodged an immigration detainer. See below for the criminal illegal aliens that ICE took off of El Paso streets: Fernando Camilo-Calixto, convicted of assault causing bodily injury to a family member. Octavio Urbina-Hernandez, convicted of failure to identify as a fugitive from justice. ICE fugitive Luis Angel Morillo Carrasquero, who was ordered removed by an immigration judge April 11, 2024, but failed to depart. ICE fugitive David Ramirez-Rodriguez, who was ordered removed by an immigration judge Oct. 27, 2014, but failed to depart. Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Border Patrol, the DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service, the ATF, and the Texas Department of Public Safety also participated in the enforcement operation. Illegal aliens in the United States who wish to avoid enforcement encounters can apply to voluntarily depart through the CBP Home App. Eligible individuals may receive $2,600 and a free flight to their home country. Those who refuse voluntary departure will be arrested and deported, with no opportunity to return.