ICE’s Operation “Angel’s Honor” Arrests More Than 1,030 Criminal Non‑Citizens, Including Alleged Child Abusers

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the conclusion of a 14‑day enforcement sweep conducted around Christmastime under the codename Operation "Angel’s Honor," saying the effort resulted in the arrest of more than 1,030 criminal non‑citizens under the Laken Riley Act.

Operation Background

ICE said the operation was named in memory of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was murdered in 2024. The agency linked the operation to the Laken Riley Act, a law passed earlier in the year that establishes mandatory detention for non‑citizens charged with specified offenses, including burglary, theft, shoplifting, assault on law enforcement, and crimes that cause serious bodily injury or death.

What ICE Reported

According to ICE, the two‑week sweep targeted criminal non‑citizens with prior criminal histories or removal orders. The agency highlighted several arrests involving serious allegations, including sexual violence and the alleged abuse and torture of children. ICE described the operation as a public‑safety measure and said those arrested will face removal proceedings where applicable.

Notable Arrests Cited by ICE

• Jamie Escobar‑Mirales, 37 (Mexico) — Arrested Dec. 18; ICE said his record includes arrests on two counts of rape of a child. He is facing removal proceedings.
• Javier Diaz‑Cabrera, 40 (Mexico) — Arrested Dec. 18; ICE said his record includes alleged illegal sexual contact with a victim under 13 and sexual assault of a minor by a guardian.
• Evelyn Martinez‑Rodriguez, 36 (Honduras) — Arrested Dec. 9; ICE said her history includes alleged assault‑torture/willful abuse of a child, domestic violence, and other assault and public‑order offenses.
• Fredy Garcia‑Canan, 34 (Guatemala) — Arrested Dec. 19; ICE reported he has an outstanding removal order from 2024 and past arrests for intentional bodily harm with a deadly weapon, criminal discharge of a firearm, and aggravated endangering of a child.
• Brandon Barrientos‑Garcia, 28 (Guatemala) — Arrested Dec. 19; ICE listed prior arrests for assault by strangulation, breaking/entering to terrorize or injure, and domestic violence assault.
• Fernando Manzanares‑Cruz, 40 (El Salvador) — Arrested Dec. 16; ICE said he had a removal order from 2016 and prior arrests including assault and battery of a pregnant victim, assault of a household member, and witness intimidation.
• Braulio Rosas‑Ayala, 44 (Mexico) — ICE said he was ordered removed in 1999 and listed past arrests that include rape and sodomy.

Official Statements

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons was quoted as saying the operation was held in memory of Laken Riley and described the sweep as both a major success and a reminder of the harm caused by violent crime. The ICE statement also included a statement attributed to Kristi Noem praising the operation; readers should note that titles and attributions in agency releases are sometimes misstated and may require verification against official announcements.

Note: The details above reflect ICE's public release. Allegations and arrest records reported by ICE are being presented as the agency described them; charges and immigration matters will be resolved through the courts and administrative proceedings.

Jose Ibarra, left, was found guilty on 10 counts in the death of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, right.

ICE agents during an immigration enforcement operation in the Houston, Texas area earlier this year.

Left to right from top: Jamie Escobar-Mirales, Javier Diaz-Cabrera, Evelyn Martinez-Rodriguez, Fredy Garcia-Canan, Brandon Barrientos-Garcia, Fernando Manzanares-Cruz, Braulio Rosas-Ayala.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem testifies before the House Committee on Homeland Security in the Cannon House Office Building on December 11, 2025, in Washington, DC.