The latest batch of illegal aliens arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) includes a man convicted of sexually assaulting a child and another convicted of human trafficking, the Department of Homeland Security told The Daily Wire. 
The “worst of the worst” arrests on Tuesday come as ICE enters 2026 with a 120% increase in manpower and looks to increase arrests and deportation numbers. Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Daily Wire that the increase in manpower meant that ICE was ready “to arrest even more criminal illegal aliens and get them OUT of our country.”  
“Another day, another round of pedophiles, violent thugs, and human traffickers removed from American communities,” McLaughlin said.  “Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE is targeting removing the WORST OF THE WORST criminal illegal aliens terrorizing American families. 
According to DHS, those arrested Tuesday included: 
<ul>
<li>Hiram Urgell-Pardo, an illegal alien from Mexico convicted of sexual assault of a child in Starr County, Texas</li>
<li>Randolfo Agusto Diaz-Cabrera, an illegal alien from the Dominican Republic convicted of course of second-degree sexual conduct against a child in Kings County, New York</li>
<li>Brett Archer, an illegal alien from Barbados convicted of assault in Brooklyn, New York</li>
<li>David Llama-Lopez, an illegal alien from Cuba convicted of human trafficking in Miami, Florida</li>
<li>Jimena Vaglio-Navarrete, an illegal alien from Costa Rica convicted of second-degree burglary in Iredell County, North Carolina.</li>
</ul>
<div id="attachment_1024437" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1024437" class="size-full wp-image-1024437" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/MixCollage-07-Jan-2026-11-22-AM-5879.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/MixCollage-07-Jan-2026-11-22-AM-5879.jpg 2560w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/MixCollage-07-Jan-2026-11-22-AM-5879-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/MixCollage-07-Jan-2026-11-22-AM-5879-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/MixCollage-07-Jan-2026-11-22-AM-5879-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/MixCollage-07-Jan-2026-11-22-AM-5879-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/MixCollage-07-Jan-2026-11-22-AM-5879-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />Credit: Urgell-Pardo/Diaz-Cabrera via DHS.</div>
DHS has maintained that 70% of those arrested by ICE have criminal convictions or charges in addition to illegally entering the country. 
Thanks to funding allocated in President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” ICE has hired over 12,000 new agents after receiving over 220,000 applications. The new agents hired brought the total force from 10,000 to over 22,000.
&#8220;The good news is that thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill that President Trump signed, we have an additional 12,000 ICE officers and agents on the ground across the country,” McLaughlin said. “That’s a 120% increase in our workforce. And that’s in just about four months.”

MixCollage-07-Jan-2026-11-30-AM-7617

ICE Enters 2026 With Increased Manpower, Arrests More ‘Worst Of The Worst’ Illegal Immigrants

Entering 2026 With Increased Manpower, ICE Arrests More 'Worst Of The Worst' Ilegals

Crime

Department of Homeland Security

Illegal Immigation

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The Trump administration sketches out its vision for Venezuela, a Minnesota hotel attempts to ban ICE, and lawmakers are putting other states under a microscope amid the rampant fraud in Minnesota.
It’s Wednesday, January 7, 2026, and this is the news you need to know to start your day. Today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:
<iframe style="width: 100%; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 10px;" src="https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trumps-venezuela-plans-ices-minnesota-crackdown-1-7-26/id1576594336?i=1000744103654" height="175" frameborder="0" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Trump’s Plan For Venezuela</h2>
As Nicolás Maduro prepares to stand trial in the United States, President Donald Trump’s plan for Venezuela is beginning to take shape. In the immediate aftermath of the operation to arrest Maduro, the president turned heads when he said the United States planned to “run” the country. But it now appears the administration prefers to control Venezuela through a pressure campaign.
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Venezuela’s interim authorities will transfer between 30 and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the United States.
The White House reportedly has three priorities. First, a government-led crackdown on drug cartels that for years have acted with impunity throughout the country. Second, Washington wants Maduro’s replacement, Delcy Rodriguez, to loosen Caracas’ relationship with Iran, Cuba, and other adversaries. Finally, Trump wants the regime to stop the sale of oil to countries such as Cuba and Russia and open up <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-says-venezuela-will-turn-over-30-50-million-barrels-of-oil-to-u-s">access</a> for American companies.
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Immigration Agents Surge To Minnesota</h2>
The Trump administration has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-deploys-2000-federal-agents-to-minnesota-for-month-long-immigration-crackdown">sent</a> roughly 2,000 immigration agents to Minnesota as the federal government doubles down on its fraud crackdown. Officers from across the country received orders over the weekend to head to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trumps-ice-director-blames-sanctuary-laws-for-minnesota-fraud?author=Jennie+Taer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=8&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump%E2%80%99s+ICE+Director+Blames+Sanctuary+Laws+For+Minnesota+Fraud">Minnesota</a> “ASAP” to assist in a major immigration operation. At the same time, Homeland Security Investigations agents are expected to aid in fraud investigations after federal prosecutors found that dozens of Somali immigrants living in Minnesota were allegedly tied to a multibillion-dollar swindling scheme. More than 90 people have been charged since 2021, and more than 60 have been convicted.
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Trump Expands Probes Into Blue State Fraud</h2>
Following the latest Minnesota fraud scandal, there’s now a nationwide push to crack down on fraud in other states. Five blue states, including California, are among the targets of the Trump administration&#8217;s probe into fraud. The Department of Health and Human Services <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-admin-freezes-welfare-funds-to-five-blue-states-over-fraud-concerns">said</a> it is suspending certain welfare payments while investigations proceed. The Minnesota scandal brought social-service fraud into the national spotlight and accelerated the crackdown. In addition, the state of Texas is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/after-minnesota-scandal-abbott-orders-statewide-review-for-fraud-in-texas-childcare-subsidies">launching</a> its own proactive investigation into childcare payments to assess the extent to which social-service fraud may be defrauding taxpayers in the Lone Star State.

MRN_260107_V1

Morning Brief: Trump’s Venezuela Plans, ICE’s Minnesota Crackdown & Blue State Fraud Probes

Morning Brief: Trump’s Demands To Caracas, MN Immigration Crackdown, And Blue State Fraud Probe

Department of Health and Human Services

Donald Trump

Fraud

Immigration

Minnesota

Morning Wire

Venezuela

The Department of Homeland Security claimed on Monday that Hilton Hotels had launched a &#8220;coordinated campaign&#8221; to refuse service to federal agents working with DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis.
DHS shared screenshots via X that showed emails canceling hotel reservations for DHS law enforcement and ICE agents, along with an explanation detailing the hotel chain&#8217;s policy with regard to any future reservations.
&#8220;NO ROOM AT THE INN!&#8221; the DHS post began. &#8220;@HiltonHotels has launched a coordinated campaign in Minneapolis to REFUSE service to DHS law enforcement. When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations. This is UNACCEPTABLE. Why is Hilton Hotels siding with murderers and rapists to deliberately undermine and impede DHS law enforcement from their mission to enforce our nation’s immigration laws?&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
NO ROOM AT THE INN!<a href="https://twitter.com/HiltonHotels?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HiltonHotels</a> has launched a coordinated campaign in Minneapolis to REFUSE service to DHS law enforcement.
When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations.
This is… <a href="https://t.co/qKMKypGtzi">pic.twitter.com/qKMKypGtzi</a>
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/2008228888795861244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Screenshots of two emails were included in the post, with the name and email address of the Hilton Hotel employee redacted.
&#8220;After further investigation online, we have found information about immigration work connected with your name and we will be canceling your upcoming reservation,&#8221; one read. &#8220;You should see a proper cancellation email in your inbox shortly from Hilton.&#8221;
The second screenshot gave more detail, showing that the action was not a one-time cancellation, but a policy position adopted by the hotel.
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&#8220;This email is in regards to the reservation you made with the Hampton Inn Lakeville property,&#8221; it read. &#8220;We have noticed an influx of GOV reservations made today that have been for DHS, and we are not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property. If you are with DHS or immigration, let us know as we will have to cancel your reservation.&#8221;
&#8220;Please pass this info to your coworkers that we are not allowing any immigration agents to house on our property,&#8221; the email concluded. &#8220;Reply at your earliest convenience.&#8221;
Hilton responded to the story, saying in part that the &#8220;hotel is independently owned and operated, and the actions referenced are not reflective of Hilton values. We are investigating this matter with this individual hotel&#8230;&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Hilton responded to my colleague <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffArnold_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JeffArnold_</a> “Hilton hotels serve as welcoming places for all. This hotel is independently owned and operated, and the actions referenced are not reflective of Hilton values. We are investigating this matter with this individual hotel, and can… <a href="https://t.co/WEKDj2K47D">https://t.co/WEKDj2K47D</a>
— Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/AliBradleyTV/status/2008268423407583550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hilton Hotel is an international brand of hotels and resorts

DHS Blames Hilton For ‘Coordinated Campaign’ To Cancel Reservations For ICE Agents; Hotel Giant Responds

DHS: Hilton Launches 'Coordinated Campaign' To Refuse Service To ICE Agents

Executive

Hilton

Hotel

U.S.

President Donald Trump&#8217;s Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief placed blame squarely on sanctuary laws for Minnesota&#8217;s fraud scandal.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told Fox &amp; Friends Tuesday that sanctuary laws in cities like Minneapolis, which prevent local authorities from contacting or working with federal immigration agents, have provided a safe haven for fraudsters.
Earlier this month, federal authorities revealed that at least $9 billion in taxpayer funds may have been stolen as part of a massive fraud campaign that&#8217;s largely been tied to Minnesota&#8217;s Somali community.
The fraudsters allegedly funneled cash from state welfare programs through fake nonprofits and shell companies back to Somalia — and even Somali terrorist group Al-Shabaab, City Journal <a href="https://www.city-journal.org/article/minnesota-welfare-fraud-somalia-al-shabaab" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> last month.
&#8220;There&#8217;s always a tie when it comes to sanctuary jurisdictions, where you can hide in plain sight. You see a lot of these fraudsters use a lot of sanctuary rules and sanctuary protections to enact in criminal fraud just like this,&#8221; Lyons said.
Homeland Security Investigations agents conducted door-to-door inspections in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/feds-conduct-door-to-door-checks-at-suspected-minneapolis-fraud-sites?author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Feds+Conduct+Door-To-Door+Checks+At+Suspected+Minneapolis+Fraud+Sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minneapolis</a> on Monday, targeting suspected fraud sites.
It comes after independent journalist Nick Shirley posted a now-viral 42-minute video last week alleging that numerous daycare and learning centers in the area had no children on-site, despite receiving millions of dollars in taxpayer funding.
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&#8220;We&#8217;ve been on the ground for so long looking into these states that are conducting these type of material fraud, and when Homeland Security Investigations goes into these businesses, there is criminal activity when it comes to labor trafficking, child trafficking, human exploitation and that&#8217;s what we&#8217;re looking at up there in Minnesota. And you&#8217;ll always come back to these sanctuary jurisdictions where you&#8217;ll find them hiding in plain sight and using those sanctuary protections to employ not only illegal aliens, but to conduct criminal fraud just like you&#8217;re seeing right now,&#8221; he said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Sanctuary cities like Minneapolis are HOTBEDS for criminal illegal alien activity.
Their radical policies serve only as protections for the WORST of the worst while Americans suffer the consequences of failed leadership. <a href="https://t.co/PLdd4oBBs5">pic.twitter.com/PLdd4oBBs5</a>
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICEgov/status/2006027537260924996?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
The Trump administration <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-minnesota-over-sanctuary-policies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sued</a> Minnesota in September over sanctuary policies in the state, with Attorney General Pam Bondi accusing the state of allowing illegal immigrants &#8220;to circumvent the legal process.&#8221;
Bondi is also looking into Minnesota&#8217;s fraud scandal, saying on X Monday that the feds have charged 98 individuals and that 85 of them are of Somali descent.
&#8220;We have more prosecutions coming … BUCKLE UP, LAWMAKERS!&#8221; Bondi said.

Gov. Tim Walz

Trump’s ICE Director Blames Sanctuary Laws For Minnesota Fraud

Tim Walz

Homeland Security Investigations agents were on the ground in Minneapolis on Monday, conducting door-to-door checks at suspected fraud sites, as authorities examined the alleged involvement of Somali immigrants in a broader criminal scheme.
The Department of Homeland Security posted a video showing two agents entering a convenience store, where they ask the clerk about a suspicious business next door. Last week, independent journalist Nick Shirley posted a 42-minute video <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/independent-journalist-who-uncovered-minnesota-fraud-says-a-kindergartner-could-figure-it-out">alleging</a> that numerous daycare and learning centers in the Twin Cities area had no children on-site, despite receiving millions of dollars in government funding.
&#8220;The American people deserve answers on how their taxpayer money is being used and ARRESTS when abuse is found. Under the leadership of [Secretary Kristi Noem], DHS is working to deliver results,&#8221; Homeland Security posted on social media.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
DHS is on the ground in Minneapolis, going DOOR TO DOOR at suspected fraud sites.
The American people deserve answers on how their taxpayer money is being used and ARRESTS when abuse is found. Under the leadership of <a href="https://twitter.com/Sec_Noem?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sec_Noem</a>, DHS is working to deliver results. <a href="https://t.co/7XtRflv36b">pic.twitter.com/7XtRflv36b</a>
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/2005688262695018606?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin posted two more videos of federal agents on the ground in Minneapolis, adding that they are &#8220;conducting a large scale investigation on fraudulent daycare and healthcare centers, as well as other rampant fraud.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Right now in Minneapolis, Homeland Security Investigations <a href="https://twitter.com/ICEgov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ICEGov</a> are on the ground conducting a large scale investigation on fraudulent daycare and healthcare centers, as well as other rampant fraud.
More to come. <a href="https://t.co/GOXvZYSl5J">pic.twitter.com/GOXvZYSl5J</a>
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) <a href="https://twitter.com/TriciaOhio/status/2005714076702314966?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
FBI Director Kash Patel <a href="https://x.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/2005305530651189719">said</a> on Sunday that the bureau had already “surged personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota to dismantle large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs” before the issue gained traction on social media last week.
Patel pointed to the FBI’s role in uncovering the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, which received government funding to provide meals to hungry children during the COVID pandemic but allegedly never distributed food. The Feeding Our Future investigation was closed before Patel became the FBI director. The vast majority of the people charged and convicted were of Somali descent.
&#8220;The FBI believes this is just the tip of a very large iceberg. We will continue to follow the money and protect children, and this investigation very much remains ongoing,&#8221; Patel added.
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The recent revelations from Shirley have refocused attention on Minnesota and its Democratic governor, Tim Walz, who has been the subject of frequent criticism from President Donald Trump this year. Trump has recently targeted Minneapolis and its large Somali community in his immigration enforcement operations. Walz, meanwhile, has defended the Somali community and his own actions amid the fraud accusations.
A federal prosecutor said earlier this month that 14 Minnesota social programs have lost at least $9 billion from fraud since 2018. When asked earlier this month if the state government needed to do more to hold the Somali community accountable, Walz <a href="https://x.com/EricLDaugh/status/1999548617556722012">shot back</a>, saying that a majority of the crime was being &#8220;committed by white men.&#8221; In reality, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-fraud-feeding-our-future-medicaid-9911799c0d0149a64a042abed095be57">82 of the 92</a> people charged so far in the Minnesota fraud scheme are Somali Americans, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Minnesota.

Homeland Security

Feds Conduct Door-To-Door Checks At Suspected Minneapolis Fraud Sites

Politics

Somalis

Trump Administration

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested more “worst of the worst” illegal aliens this week as Americans prepare to celebrate Christmas.
Those arrested on Monday included illegals convicted of sex crimes, human trafficking, and assault. The arrests come as the Trump administration is looking to increase deportations before Christmas and offering a $3,000 stipend and free flight home for those who choose to self-deport.
“This Christmas season, Americans can rejoice that these criminal illegal aliens are off their streets,” Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Daily Wire. “Just yesterday, ICE arrested convicted sex abusers, violent assailants, and human traffickers. Our ICE law enforcement delivered the best gift for all Americans this year: safer neighborhoods.”
According to DHS, those arrested included:
<blockquote>-Armando Meza-Arango, an illegal alien from Mexico convicted of burglary habitation with intent of sex offense and indecent exposure in Sterling County, Texas.
-Jesus Bautista-Mendiola, an illegal alien from Mexico convicted of felony sexual battery in Columbus, Ohio.
-Jovanne Heath, an illegal alien from Jamaica convicted of robbery and assault in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
-Agustin Perez-Otero, an illegal alien from Mexico convicted of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death, and felony possession of methamphetamine in Kuna, Idaho.
-Ismael Arroyo, an illegal alien from Mexico convicted of alien smuggling and possession with intent to distribute marijuana in Laredo, Texas.</blockquote>
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Over the past two weeks, ICE arrested over 1,000 illegal aliens while <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/12/22/us-news/ice-rounds-up-over-1000-illegal-immigrants-during-two-week-operation-to-honor-laken-riley/">conducting</a> an operation in honor of Laken Riley, the 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered while out on a job by an illegal alien from Venezuela. The arrests were conducted under the authorization of the Laken Riley Act, which was signed by President Donald Trump in January. The law requires federal officials to arrest non-citizens accused of violent and theft-related crimes in the United States.
“We can never bring Laken back, but we can do everything in our power to bring these heinous criminals to justice. I am so proud of what our brave men and women of ICE have done to remove these criminals from America’s streets,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

MixCollage-23-Dec-2025-02-12-PM-5301

Making A List, Checking It Twice: ICE Nabs ‘Worst Of The Worst’ Illegals Before Christmas

Illegal Immigration

The House Committee on Homeland Security has released a “Border Brief” <a href="https://homeland.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Nov-FY26-Border-Brief-1.pdf">factsheet</a> highlighting record-low border encounters at the start of Fiscal Year 2026. Attributing the success to Trump administration policies and congressional funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill, the report suggests a significant shift in national security and enforcement effectiveness.
Nationwide encounters in October and November 2025 totaled 60,940 — a 28 percent reduction from previous record lows and the lowest start to any fiscal year on record. Specifically, Southwest border apprehensions between ports of entry plummeted to 7,350 in November, representing an 84 percent decrease year-over-year. Daily apprehension averages have dropped by 95 percent compared to the prior administration. Notably, for seven consecutive months, the Border Patrol reported releasing no inadmissible aliens into the interior.
Beyond the numbers, the Committee emphasized targeted enforcement against violent criminals and drug traffickers. Key achievements include:
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>Vulnerable Populations: The administration located over 62,000 unaccompanied children previously released to unvetted sponsors.</li>
<li>Counter-Smuggling: While nationwide fentanyl seizures dropped 45 percent in FY25 — interpreted by officials as a sign of successful deterrence — CBP still seized over 1,500 pounds of the drug in November alone.</li>
<li>Maritime Shifts: As land routes become more difficult to navigate, smuggling has shifted toward the sea. This was highlighted by a record Coast Guard seizure of 49,000 pounds of narcotics valued at over $362 million.</li>
</ul>
“Thanks to the work of our federal law enforcement our borders had yet another month of record low encounters,” GOP House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) said. “The historic investments in border security provided in the One Big Beautiful Bill made these successes possible, and I look forward to continued partnership with the administration to extend these historic successes throughout FY26. The Committee will continue working with the Trump administration to ensure our frontline personnel have the tools, resources, and support they need to carry out their mission and keep our homeland secure.”
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Subcommittee Chairman Michael Guest added, “2025 has been a record year for border security. I’m honored to work with President Trump to keep our border secure now and into 2026. Thank you, President Trump, for keeping your promise to secure the border.”
Recent testimony from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI officials further underscored the focus on ensuring law enforcement has the resources necessary to maintain these security gains.

Border Patrol attacked near Rio Grande in Ciudad Juarez

House Homeland Security Committee Reports Record-Low Border Encounters For Fiscal Year 2026

Customs and Border Protection (CPB)

The Trump administration is increasing their cash payments to illegal immigrants opting to self-deport from the United States from $1,000 to $3,000, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Fox News on Monday.
In addition to footing the bill for flights, the Department of Homeland Security began offering payments of $1,000 for illegal immigrants choosing to leave the country rather than facing formal deportation in May.
Now, they’re tripling the incentive to ensure that illegal immigrants “get home in time for Christmas,” Noem told Fox News.
“Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will not return,” Noem wrote on X.
<div id="attachment_1018345" style="width: 250px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1018345" class="wp-image-1018345 size-medium" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/12/CBPhomereleasepic.jpg-240x300.webp" alt="" width="240" height="300" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/12/CBPhomereleasepic.jpg-240x300.webp 240w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/12/CBPhomereleasepic.jpg.webp 384w" sizes=" (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" />Credit: Department of Homeland Security</div>
Roughly 1.9 million illegal immigrants have left the United States on their own, according to DHS. It’s not clear how many of those used the CBP Home app to depart and receive the cash payments.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This Christmas season, the U.S. taxpayer is generously TRIPLING the incentive for illegal aliens to leave voluntarily. Through the end of the year, illegal aliens who self-deport using the CBP Home App can receive a $3,000 exit bonus.
Illegal aliens should take advantage of this… <a href="https://t.co/AKQZChPYfZ">pic.twitter.com/AKQZChPYfZ</a>
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sec_Noem/status/2003100517283647981?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
The app ensures that illegal immigrants’ flights are paid for by the federal government.
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It also gives illegal immigrants the opportunity to potentially come back to the United States legally.
“If you voluntarily want to go home now to your country, if you&#8217;re in the United States of America illegally, we will give you $3,000 through the holidays to send you home,” Noem said.
“If you wait until we interdict you and detain you and arrest you and have to deport you ourselves, you&#8217;ll never get the chance to come back,” she added.
The CBP Home app was created after the Trump administration ended the Biden-era CBP One entry program that allowed more than one million illegal immigrants into the country.

Trump Triples Self-Deportation Payments In Christmas ‘Gift’ To Illegal Immigrants

Trump Admin Triples Self Deportation Payments In Christmas ‘Gift’ To Illegal Immigrants

Kristi Noem

An Obama-appointed judge is facing mounting backlash for praising an illegal immigrant who raped a woman with cerebral palsy — and now he could be walking free sooner than expected.
Honduran Edys Renan Membreño Díaz, 30, who entered the United States illegally seven times, pulled a woman with cerebral palsy and cognitive delays into the laundry room of her apartment building before sodomizing and raping her, <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2025/12/12/immigrants-fate-detroit-exposes-federal-fight-between-judge-judith-levy-doj-u-s-attorney-detroit/87369743007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to The Detroit News.
U.S. District Judge Judith Levy spared the illegal immigrant an additional two years in prison, calling him an “ambassador for living up to our immigration restrictions,” the outlet reported.
Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the judge&#8217;s decision showed &#8220;unspeakable depravity,&#8221; calling it &#8220;truly wicked.&#8221;
Membreño Díaz was sentenced three years ago and could now walk free as soon as July 2028, according to The Detroit News. Federal prosecutors, however, requested two additional years on his sentence for his immigration crimes.
But Levy didn&#8217;t budge, deciding that the five months he spent in federal custody were enough. She also lauded Membreño Díaz as a model immigrant.
“I usually have almost no hope that a prosecution of this nature will discourage other people but in your unique case, you have expressed that you will be an ambassador for living up to our immigration restrictions and that you will communicate your experience to people back in Honduras and discourage them from coming here without documentation,” Levy said during his sentencing in August.
Prosecutors appealed the judge&#8217;s decision in October, requesting a resentencing.
&#8220;It is rare for the government to appeal a sentence as substantively unreasonable, but doing so is warranted here,&#8221; Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Sweeney Bean wrote, according to The Detroit News.
&#8220;Oddly, the district court spun (Díaz&#8217;s) repeated illegal entries in his favor, commending his family devotion and willingness to perform work that it claimed Americans find undesirable,&#8221; the prosecutor added. &#8220;And it gave virtually no weight to his violent sex crimes.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Unspeakable Depravity.
Edys Renan Membreño Díaz, a criminal illegal from Honduras who illegally entered our country 7 times, was convicted of raping and sodomizing a woman who has cerebral palsy and cognitive delays. He attacked her and dragged her into her apartment building’s… <a href="https://t.co/wrsMcP2jDE">pic.twitter.com/wrsMcP2jDE</a>
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) <a href="https://twitter.com/TriciaOhio/status/1999903030284599656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
The illegal immigrant pleaded guilty to three sex crimes and was sentenced to 6-15 years in a Michigan prison in October 2022.
&#8220;I was drunk, and I apologize to everybody, to all the American citizens. I wish to go back to my country and not to come back to the United States and to advise other people to not come here illegally and, if they do, to come here legally so they don&#8217;t pay the consequences that I am facing being incarcerated,&#8221; Díaz told the judge in August, according to The Detroit News.
Levy praised the illegal immigrant for fessing up.
&#8220;I agree that that&#8217;s a horrible crime. &#8230; You&#8217;ve taken responsibility for that, expressed remorse for that and you are serving a lengthy state sentence as punishment for that conduct,&#8221; Levy said.
&#8220;So I commend you for supporting your family, for expressing your devotion to them and for working here in the United States in jobs that Americans apparently do not want to work in and certainly not for the wages that were undoubtedly abusive of your work for them,&#8221; the judge said.
&#8220;&#8230;I see &#8230; somebody who is stepping forward to take responsibility and to gain insight into what led you to commit that crime of sexual assault and this one of illegal reentry,&#8221; Levy said.

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Obama-Appointed Judge Slammed For Praising Illegal Immigrant Who Raped Woman With Cerebral Palsy

Barack Obama

illegal immigrants

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) said during a Sunday interview that her son was recently &#8220;pulled over&#8221; by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents — and that they had only let him go because he was able to produce his passport and confirm his identity.
Omar spoke to local CBS News affiliate WCCO in Minnesota, telling interviewer Esme Murphy that her son always carries his passport for just such an occasion.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Ilhan Omar confirms her son was pulled over and detained by ICE.
President Trump also recently announced Ilhan was under investigation for marrying her brother.
Denaturalize and deport the entire family. <a href="https://t.co/Usuhnwt7vD">pic.twitter.com/Usuhnwt7vD</a>
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) <a href="https://twitter.com/DC_Draino/status/2000302303350501610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Yesterday, after he made a stop at Target, he did get pulled over by ICE agents, and once he was able to produce his passport ID, they did let him go,&#8221; Omar explained.
&#8220;So your son went to Target last night with his passport?&#8221; Murphy asked.
&#8220;He always carries it with him,&#8221; Omar said.
&#8220;In case he gets pulled over?&#8221; Murphy clarified. &#8220;Which he did, by ICE.&#8221;
&#8220;Yes,&#8221; Omar replied, saying that ICE agents had also come into a mosque where her son was, but that they had left without detaining anyone. Following that incident, she said she&#8217;d &#8220;had to remind him just how worried I am, because all of these areas that they are talking about are areas where he could possibly find himself in and they are racially profiling, they are looking for young men who look Somali that they think are undocumented.&#8221;
Omar&#8217;s interview comes just days after she <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26375494-20251211-operation-metro-surge-letter/">wrote a letter</a> addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, demanding answers about ICE activities in her home state and claiming that they were driven by President Donald Trump&#8217;s &#8220;racist comments.&#8221;
&#8220;Constituents, advocates, and local officials have documented blatant racial profiling, an egregious level of unnecessary force, and activity that appears designed for social media rather than befitting a law enforcement agency,&#8221; she wrote in part. &#8220;I am demanding answers on behalf of my constituents whose constitutional rights are being violated on a daily basis.&#8221;
&#8220;It is clear to me that this surge came in direct response to Trump’s racist comments about Somali people, and about me in particular. Earlier this month, Trump called Somali immigrants &#8216;garbage&#8217; and ranted that he does not want us in this country,&#8221; she added.

Ilhan Omar

Ilhan Omar Says Her Son Was ‘Pulled Over’ By ICE Agents

Ilhan Omar Says Her Son Was 'Pulled Over' By ICE Agents

As Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem clashed with Democrat lawmakers on Thursday over the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were continuing to arrest illegals convicted of horrific crimes.
Noem testified before the House Homeland Security Committee on Thursday, where she was heckled by anti-ICE protesters and questioned by lawmakers about security threats facing the United States. While she was being protested, ICE was picking up illegals convicted of sex crimes and other violent charges, DHS told The Daily Wire.
“Some of the disgusting animals arrested yesterday sexually abused children and disabled victims,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesman told The Daily Wire. “Sanctuary politicians protect these criminal illegal aliens and allow them to terrorize the citizens of this country. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, we are prioritizing AMERICAN CITIZENS. We are getting the worst of the worst out of our neighborhoods and out of our country.”
According to DHS, those arrested included:
<blockquote>-Carlos Gomez-Diaz, an illegal alien from Mexico convicted on three counts of felony second-degree sexual exploitation of a child in Wake County, North Carolina.
-Rose Stanley, an illegal alien from Liberia convicted of sexual assault of a disabled/helpless victim in Somerset, New Jersey.
-Oswaldo Antonio Hollman, an illegal alien from El Salvador convicted of possession of child pornography in Laredo, Texas.
-Alonso Maciel Guadalupe, an illegal alien from Mexico convicted of manslaughter in El Paso County, Texas.
-Mauro Humberto Lopez-Aleman, an illegal alien from Cuba convicted of arson-business in San Juan, Puerto Rico.</blockquote>
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On Monday, DHS launched a new searchable “worst of the worst” website to showcase at least 10,000 illegal aliens nabbed as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
“This new Worst of the Worst webpage allows every American to see for themselves the criminal illegal aliens that we are arresting, what crimes they committed, and what communities we removed them from. This is all about transparency and showing results,” Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.

MixCollage-12-Dec-2025-03-28-PM-3558

Here Are The Illegals Arrested As Anti-ICE Protesters Disrupted Noem’s Testimony

Anti-ICE activists disrupted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as she testified on Capitol Hill Thursday.
Noem was giving her opening statement to the House Homeland Security Committee during a hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland.” But before she could finish her opening remarks, Noem was interrupted by two anti-ICE hecklers.
The first activist, who was donning Catholic cardinal attire, got up and began shouting over Noem.
“Stop ICE raids! The Power of Christ compels you!” he yelled as he held up a sign and brandished a cross.
Capitol Police swiftly removed the man from the hearing room and were instructed to arrest him. Just as officers were escorting him out, a second man got up and began repeatedly shouting: “Get ICE off our streets, stop terrorizing our communities!”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
A leftist dressed as a Catholic Cardinal just interrupted Secretary Noem&#8217;s opening statement yelling &#8220;the power of Christ compels you.&#8221;
A felony and blasphemy at the same time. <a href="https://t.co/cIgxcHqQWm">pic.twitter.com/cIgxcHqQWm</a>
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) <a href="https://twitter.com/greg_price11/status/1999138762048053719?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
Noem remained unfazed and continued her testimony once both hecklers were removed from the hearing room.
As the Trump administration has carried out its mass deportation campaign, there has been an 8,000% increase in death threats and a more than 1,100% surge in assaults, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Some of those threats have tragically materialized.
In September, a shooter opened fire on a Texas ICE facility, killing two detainees and himself as he tried to target federal officers.
In a nearby facility, a group of alleged Antifa anarchists lured federal agents outside using fireworks before firing off bullets on July 4, resulting in one local officer being injured.
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Activists are regularly following federal immigration agents making arrests across the country, and some have attempted to obstruct them.
In some areas of the country, cartels and gangs have also placed bounties on the heads of federal agents.

Untitled design – 2025-12-11T103235.682

Anti-ICE Hecklers Disrupt Kristi Noem’s Congressional Testimony

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

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