DHS announced that ICE agents conducted nationwide arrests on Thursday of noncitizens with criminal convictions, calling the operations an "early Christmas gift" for public safety. Named detainees include nationals from Chile, Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras with convictions for burglary, bank robbery, kidnapping and assault. DHS also said more than 2.5 million noncitizens have left the U.S. since President Trump returned to office in January 2025 and credited the administration’s enforcement measures with strengthening border security. Homeland Security officials praised law-enforcement partners and framed the arrests as part of a larger campaign to remove dangerous offenders.
DHS Calls Nationwide ICE Arrests an 'Early Christmas Gift' as Convicted Noncitizens Are Taken Into Custody
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem touted the progress made during President Trump's first year back in office.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents carried out nationwide arrests this week, describing the operations as an "early Christmas gift" for Americans as officials removed noncitizens with prior criminal convictions from communities.
DHS said the arrests, which took place on Thursday, involved individuals with convictions for burglary, bank robbery, aggravated kidnapping and assault. The agency characterized some of those detained as among the "worst of the worst" and framed the actions as part of a broader enforcement push to improve public safety.
Named Arrests and Allegations
DHS identified several men taken into custody and summarized their prior convictions:
- Jessupe Sandino Berraza-Rivera (Chile) — Described by DHS as a member of a transnational organized crime enterprise the agency calls the "South American Theft Group." Convicted of burglary in Santa Ana, California.
- Luis Enrique Castaneda-Reyes (Colombia) — Reportedly has 10 criminal convictions, including an alleged forced bank robbery and violent offenses tied to drugs and a firearm in matters handled by the U.S. District Court for New Jersey.
- Elidelfo Castro-Nava (Mexico) — Convicted in Salt Lake City, Utah, of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury in the third degree.
- Juan Emerson Gomez-Sorto (El Salvador) — Convicted of aggravated assault in Price, Utah.
- Jesser Sandoval-Cruz (Honduras) — Convicted of assault of a family or household member following a prior conviction in Harris County, Texas.
“Violent criminal illegal aliens who break our laws have absolutely no business remaining in the United States,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “Yesterday’s arrests include criminal illegal aliens convicted for burglary, bank robbery, and kidnapping. We are thankful for our law enforcement who delivered the best Christmas gift for American families this holiday season: safer communities.”
Administration Claims and Context
DHS further stated that more than 2.5 million noncitizens have left the United States since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, and credited the administration's enforcement measures with helping produce what it called the "most secure border in American history." Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised the results, saying the administration had quickly delivered significant border-security and enforcement outcomes.
The department attributed the arrests to coordinated enforcement efforts by ICE and other law-enforcement partners. The report credits Fox News Digital’s Michael Sinkewicz for contributing to the coverage.
Note on language: DHS statements use the phrase "illegal aliens" in some quotes; this rewritten article uses "noncitizens" and "individuals" for clarity and to maintain neutral, consistent language while preserving direct quotes where applicable.
