DHS and ICE say they have prioritized the removal of noncitizens with violent criminal records during President Trump’s first year back in office, a period officials say saw more than 2.5 million undocumented migrants leave the country. The agency highlighted ten high-profile 2025 arrests — ranging from alleged Molotov attacks and assaults on federal agents to vehicular homicide, child sex offenses, a reported machete beheading and a fatal strangulation. Many suspects reportedly had prior convictions or outstanding orders of removal; charges and allegations remain subject to court proceedings.
'Worst of the Worst': 10 Alleged Violent Noncitizens Arrested in 2025 During DHS Crackdown
Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old illegal alien from India who was arrested on Aug. 16, 2025, allegedly attempted to make an unauthorized U-turn in Ft. Pierce, Florida, resulting in a crash that killed three people.
In President Donald Trump’s first year back in office, federal officials say more than 2.5 million undocumented migrants have left the United States amid an aggressive immigration crackdown and expanded deportation efforts. The Department of Homeland Security has said it is prioritizing removals of noncitizens with violent criminal records and has highlighted a series of high-profile arrests in 2025.
"As the media whitewashes the facts, day in and day out, our brave men and women of ICE risk their lives for the American people," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, reflecting the agency's view that such arrests deserve broader public attention.
Ten High-Profile Cases Highlighted by DHS
Below are summaries of ten cases publicized by DHS and ICE in 2025. Note that in many instances the suspects are described by authorities as having prior convictions or outstanding orders of removal; charges and allegations are noted where applicable.
Yordanis Cobos-Martinez was arrested for allegedly beheading a merchant in Dallas.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman (June 1)
According to a federal indictment, Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman — reported to be in the U.S. on an expired visa — was arrested on federal charges including first-degree murder, first-degree assault and a hate crime after an attack at a pro-Israel event in Boulder. Prosecutors allege he threw Molotov cocktails while shouting political slogans; 13 people were injured and 82-year-old Karen Diamond died of her injuries on June 25, 2025.
Emiliano Garduno-Galvez (early June)
Officials say Emiliano Garduno-Galvez was arrested in Los Angeles for attempted murder after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at law enforcement during anti-ICE riots. DHS published video footage of the incident and noted he had a prior deportation and earlier convictions including grand theft and a DUI.
Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco (June 20)
ICE reported that Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco, a Venezuelan alleged to be associated with the Tren de Aragua gang (previously designated by the administration), launched a violent assault during an enforcement operation in Bellevue, Nebraska. Authorities say he attacked an HSI special agent and an FBI agent, causing serious injuries; he was later charged with attempted murder of a federal officer and related counts.
Left to right from top: Mohamed Sabry Soliman, Emiliano Garduno-Galvez, William Alexander Telles Amaya, Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, Eduardo Aguilar, Sergio Noe de Nova Duarte, Esteban Silva-Garcia.
Harjinder Singh (Aug. 12)
Indian national Harjinder Singh was arrested following a crash on the Florida Turnpike that investigators say resulted after an unlawful U-turn by a semitrailer and killed three people. Singh faces three counts of vehicular homicide in Florida and an ICE detainer, and officials say he entered the U.S. in 2018.
William Alexander Telles Amaya (Aug. 18)
ICE described 35-year-old William Alexander Telles Amaya, a Salvadoran national, as a "habitual child predator." Authorities say he has prior convictions related to sexual offenses against minors and was arrested again in August 2025 on related charges.
Yordanis Cobos-Martinez (Sept. 10)
Dallas police and ICE reported the arrest of Cuban national Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, who is alleged to have a lengthy criminal history and is accused of using a machete to kill a merchant in Dallas — an attack that authorities say occurred in front of the victim’s family. Officials added that Cobos-Martinez previously had a final order of removal.
Santos Paulino Vasquez-Ramirez was arrested and charged with murder and robbery on Dec. 12.
Eduardo Aguilar (Oct. 14)
ICE announced the arrest of Eduardo Aguilar, a Mexican national in Dallas, after authorities said he posted a Spanish-language video on social media offering money to kill ICE agents. Court filings show he was charged with transmitting a threatening communication and was found with a loaded firearm in his vehicle; records indicate an outstanding removal order from 2019.
Sergio Noe de Nova Duarte (Nov. 17)
Plano, Texas, police charged Sergio Noe de Nova Duarte with aggravated kidnapping and bodily injury after he allegedly attacked a woman jogging in a park with a hammer. Documents show prior arrests for burglary and larceny and that ICE previously detained and released him; a detainer was reissued ahead of immigration proceedings.
Esteban Silva-Garcia (December)
Authorities in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, convicted Esteban Silva-Garcia of strangulation, applying pressure to the throat or neck, and endangering the welfare of a child. Following the conviction, DHS announced he was taken into ICE custody pending immigration proceedings.
Santos Paulino Vasquez-Ramirez (December)
DHS reported that Santos Paulino Vasquez-Ramirez, a Guatemalan national, was arrested on homicide and robbery charges in New York. Prosecutors allege he strangled a taxi driver, identified as Aurelio Zhunio-Orbez; the driver's body was later recovered from a reservoir. Officials say Vasquez-Ramirez had an outstanding removal order dating to 2016.
Context: DHS has emphasized that many of the individuals it highlighted had prior convictions or removal orders, and the agency framed these arrests as part of a broader effort to remove those it considers threats to public safety.
