DHS Apprehends High-Priority Undocumented Migrants with Violent Criminal Records in Weekend Operation

In a significant weekend operation, the Department of Homeland Security has detained 17 undocumented migrants previously convicted of serious crimes including murder and sexual exploitation of minors, according to information released exclusively to Fox News.

The arrests are part of DHS’s recently launched “worst of the worst” campaign, which aims to publicize cases involving illegal immigrants convicted of serious felonies and violent crimes. The operation took place during the holiday weekend, as Americans celebrated at Christmas parties and marked the first night of Hanukkah.

“While Americans were at Christmas parties and celebrating the first night of Hanukkah, the patriotic heroes of ICE law enforcement were selflessly risking their lives to arrest the worst of the worst,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement. “This holiday season, Americans can rejoice these monsters are out of their neighborhoods.”

Among those arrested was Thai Lor, an undocumented migrant from Thailand convicted of second-degree murder. The operation also detained Benevenuto Walter Lopez-Alonzo from Guatemala, who had been convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor, and Yovanny Dominguez-Herrera from Mexico, convicted of lewd acts with a child under 14 years old.

Other arrests included Chi Ying, a Chinese national convicted of money laundering, and Patricia Judith Diaz-Angel from Guatemala, who had been convicted of pimping a minor over 16 years old. According to DHS, all 17 individuals had been convicted of their respective crimes while living in the United States.

The weekend arrests follow DHS’s announcement that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently detained more than 10,000 undocumented migrants in Los Angeles. That operation faced opposition from protesters who, according to DHS officials, “assaulted law enforcement, threw rocks and Molotov cocktails, and attempted to obstruct lawful arrests.”

The aggressive enforcement actions reflect the Trump administration’s hardline approach to immigration under DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The administration has consistently emphasized its commitment to deport millions of migrants who entered the country during President Joe Biden’s term.

“Follow the law and you’ll find opportunity. If you break it, you’ll find consequences,” Noem stated in a recent DHS advertisement, underscoring the administration’s position.

The enhanced enforcement efforts have sparked significant political debate. Many Democratic lawmakers have criticized the administration’s approach as overly harsh and potentially disruptive to communities. Immigration advocates have raised concerns about due process and the impact of widespread deportation operations on families and neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, DHS has adopted a transparent approach to publicizing its operations. Last week, the agency launched a publicly accessible “worst of the worst” website (dhs.gov/wow) that provides details about convicted violent criminals and sex offenders who are in the country illegally.

The website represents a significant shift in how federal immigration authorities communicate enforcement actions to the public. By highlighting specific cases of violent and sexual offenders, DHS appears to be countering criticism of its broader deportation efforts by focusing public attention on cases involving serious criminal convictions.

ICE officers have faced challenging conditions during recent operations, particularly in urban areas where local policies may limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. In several cities, including Los Angeles, immigration enforcement actions have triggered protests and confrontations between federal agents and local residents.

The administration maintains that these enforcement actions prioritize public safety by focusing on individuals with serious criminal convictions, though critics argue that the operations often sweep up individuals with minor or no criminal histories as well.

As the enforcement campaign continues, the political debate over immigration policy remains highly polarized, with fundamental disagreements about priorities, methods, and the proper balance between enforcement and humanitarian concerns.