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Emigration and immigration

Operation Take Back America: A Nationwide Effort to Combat Illicit Immigration and Transnational Crime

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The U.S. Department of Justice is leading a nationwide initiative, Operation Take Back America, to tackle the complex issues of illegal immigration, cartel activity, and transnational crime. This effort involves strengthening collaboration between the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Recent statistics reveal a significant surge in charges filed against defendants violating U.S. immigration laws, with the Southern District of Texas filing a total of 209 cases in immigration and border security-related matters from May 9-15. This includes 78 individuals facing allegations of illegally reentering the country, with a majority having prior felony convictions for narcotics, violent crime, and other crimes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 1,100 defendants were charged with criminal violations of U.S. immigration laws across Arizona, Southern California, New Mexico, Southern Texas, and Western Texas.
  • The Southern District of Texas filed 209 immigration and border security-related cases from May 9-15, with 78 individuals facing allegations of illegally reentering the country.
  • A majority of those facing illegal re-entry charges have prior felony convictions for narcotics, violent crime, sex offenses, and prior immigration crimes.
  • 124 people face charges of illegally entering the country, with seven cases alleging various instances of human smuggling.
  • The Western District of Texas filed 295 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from May 9 through May 15.
  • Juan Jose Medrano-Escobedo and Rosendo Dominguez-Morales were arrested for allegedly entering the U.S. illegally through the Texas National Defense Area (Tx-NDA), both having prior felony convictions and removals from the U.S.
  • The District of Arizona brought immigration-related charges against 310 individuals, including 125 cases of illegal re-entry and 170 charged with entering the U.S. illegally.
  • In Arizona, 15 individuals were charged with smuggling illegal aliens into and within the district.
  • The Southern District of California filed 153 border-related cases, including charges of assault on a federal officer, bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importation of controlled substances.
  • Luque was arrested and charged with the illegal importation of 203.22 pounds of cocaine in a Kenworth truck towing a car hauler at the Calexico, California East Port of Entry.
  • The District of New Mexico filed 212 criminal charges related to immigration and border security, including 68 individuals charged with Illegal Reentry After Deportation.

Statistics:

  • Over 1,100 defendants were charged with criminal violations of U.S. immigration laws across Arizona, Southern California, New Mexico, Southern Texas, and Western Texas.
  • 209 cases were filed by the Southern District of Texas in immigration and border security-related matters from May 9-15.
  • 78 individuals were charged with allegations of illegally reentering the country in the Southern District of Texas.
  • 124 people face charges of illegally entering the country, with seven cases alleging various instances of human smuggling.
  • 295 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases were filed by the Western District of Texas from May 9 through May 15.
  • 92.18kg (203.22 pounds) of cocaine was found concealed in the frame of a trailer at the Calexico, California East Port of Entry.

Sources:

  • U.S. Department of Justice
  • United States Attorneys for Arizona, Southern California, New Mexico, Southern Texas, and Western Texas.
  • Customs and Border Protection officers

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