ICE arrests illegal immigrants convicted of child rape, sexual assault, drug trafficking

DHS announces ICE arrests targeting illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes, including child rape and assault, amid rising threats against officers. Homeland Security ICE arrests illegal immigrants convicted of child rape, sexual assault, drug trafficking DHS says nearly 70% of ICE arrests involve illegal immigrants convicted or charged with crimes By Sophia Compton Fox News Published February 20, 2026 9:48pm EST Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Homan criticizes migrant crimes, Democrats' DHS demands Border czar Tom Homan discusses preventable crimes by illegal migrants and criticizes Reps. Ilhan Omar and Pramila Jayapal for Democrats' demands to dismantle DHS amid rising border threats. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Friday announced new arrests carried out by federal enforcement officers targeting illegal immigrants convicted of violent and sexual crimes. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested multiple offenders Thursday who had prior convictions for crimes including child rape, sexual assault of minors, methamphetamine trafficking and aggravated assault, according to DHS."Even while facing doxing, threats, harassment, and a more than 1,300% increase in assaults against them, ICE continues to go after criminal illegal aliens, including pedophiles, violent sex criminals, and drug traffickers," outgoing DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. WEEKEND ROUNDUP: CONVICTED MURDERERS, CHILD SEX ABUSERS AMONG ILLEGAL ALIENS NABBED BY ICE ACROSS US Among those arrested include: Michelle Rodriguez-Berrio, a criminal illegal immigrant from Colombia, who was convicted in Salt Lake City, Utah, for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Michelle Rodriguez-Berrio, a criminal illegal immigrant from Colombia, was convicted in Salt Lake City for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. (Department of Homeland Security )Rene Lopez-Balbuena, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, who was convicted in Monmouth County, New Jersey, of endangering the welfare of a child and sexually assaulting a child. DHS SHUTDOWN LEAVES LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONDERS ON THEIR OWN AMID EXTREME WEATHER, EXPERT WARNS Rene Lopez-Balbuena, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was convicted in Monmouth County, N.J., of endangering the welfare of a child and sexually assaulting a child. (Department of Homeland Security )Luis Elias-Santos, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, who was convicted in Boone County, Missouri, of second-degree statutory rape. Luis Elias-Santos, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was convicted in Boone County, Mo., of second-degree statutory rape. (Department of Homeland Security ) Jeovanny Porras-Rodriguez, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, who was convicted in Buncombe County, North Carolina, of trafficking methamphetamine. SANCTUARY POLICIES LET ALLEGED CHILD PREDATOR ROAM FREE UNTIL DHS MADE PORTLAND, OREGON, AIRPORT ARREST Jeovanny Porras-Rodriguez, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was convicted in Buncombe County, N.C., of trafficking methamphetamine. (Department of Homeland Security )Leonardo Garcia-Meza, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was convicted in Collin County, Texas, of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Leonardo Garcia-Meza, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was convicted in Collin County, Texas, of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. (Department of Homeland Security )Earlier this month, a DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital that ICE officers are "facing a coordinated campaign of violence against them." According to DHS, assaults against ICE personnel have increased by more than 1,300%, death threats have risen 8,000%, and vehicle attacks have climbed 3,200%.CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP"Nearly 70% of all ICE arrests are of illegal aliens convicted or charged of a crime in the U.S.," McLaughlin added. "If you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S." DHS did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Fox News Digital's Breanne Deppisch contributed to this report. Sophia Compton is a Writer at Fox News Digital. Sophia was previously a business reporter covering finance, energy and tourism and has experience as a TV news producer. She graduated with a journalism degree in 2021 from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. 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