ICE Makes Nationwide Presidents Day Sweep, Arresting Dozens Including Convicted Child Sex Offenders and Drug Traffickers

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out a nationwide enforcement operation over the Presidents Day weekend, resulting in the arrests of dozens of noncitizens the agency described as dangerous offenders. DHS said the detained individuals include people convicted of child sexual offenses, drug trafficking, violent assaults and other serious crimes.

"Over Presidents Day weekend, the brave men and women of ICE arrested heinous criminal illegal aliens across the country convicted for sex crimes against children, rape, and drug trafficking," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. "These violent criminals will never be allowed to harm children and innocent Americans again."

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Friday pushed for the passage of the SAVE America Act during a press conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., in an effort to ensure voter security at the polls.

DHS further stated that nearly 70% of ICE arrests involve noncitizens who have been charged with or convicted of crimes in the United States. The agency characterized many of the arrests as focusing on the "worst of the worst."

Notable Arrests and Allegations

• Efren Guzman-Lopez (Guatemala) — Arrested in Texas; DHS says he had been previously convicted of indecency with sexual contact with a child and child grooming.
• Javier Millan-Salgado (Mexico) — Detained in California; DHS reported a prior conviction for lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and noted he was listed on a sex-offender registry.
• Multiple individuals in California were arrested on allegations of sexual relations with minors, and authorities in Missouri arrested Pedro Jucub on alleged sexual misconduct involving a child under 15, DHS said.
• Alfredo Vargas and Wilfrido Varelas-Rubio (both Mexico) — Named by DHS as previously convicted of methamphetamine trafficking in Iowa and Montana, respectively.
• Ever Rivera-Molina (Honduras) — Reported to have been convicted of conspiracy to distribute crystal methamphetamine in Texas prior to his arrest.
• Hermilio Salgado-Castro (Mexico) — Arrested in Raleigh, North Carolina; DHS cited a prior conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
• Saul Alonzo Portillo-Lopez — Detained in Texas; previously convicted of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, according to DHS.
• Gerson Valverde (Nicaragua) — Arrested in Saratoga County, New York; DHS reported prior convictions including felony assault, aggravated family offense and misdemeanor stalking.
• Francisco Gamez-Martinez (Mexico) — Detained in Lakeland, Florida, after an earlier conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, DHS said.

DHS said arrests also included other forms of violent crime such as felony assault, domestic violence, stalking and assault with a deadly weapon. The agency has published profiles of those it calls the "worst of the worst" on a public webpage at WOW.DHS.Gov.

ICE and DHS officials framed the operation as part of broader, ongoing federal immigration enforcement focused on removing noncitizens who have been charged with or convicted of serious crimes. The agency's statements reflect its view of public-safety priorities; reporting here attributes allegations and prior convictions to DHS and ICE.