In a recent operation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported the arrest of 214 individuals in the Houston area over the past six months, all of whom are illegal immigrants charged or convicted of sex offenses involving minors. This figure surpasses the total number of similar arrests made during the entire 2024 fiscal year, which was 211.
The increase in arrests is attributed to a multi-agency effort initiated by the current administration, aimed at enhancing collaborative law enforcement responses. Paul McBride, acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Houston, stated that this approach has allowed law enforcement agencies to effectively tackle the challenges associated with illegal immigration and related criminal activities.
Among those arrested, several individuals have a history of deportation. Notable cases include Jorge Zebra, 48, and Jesus Gutierrez Mireles, 67, both of whom have been previously deported multiple times for sexual offenses against minors. Other individuals arrested include Jose Guadalupe Meza, 40, and Sergio Rolando Galvan Guerrero, 45, who were also deported after prior convictions for similar crimes. Manuel Antonio Castro-Juarez, 37, remains in custody pending his third deportation to El Salvador after being arrested for sexual assault of a minor and illegal reentry.
While ICE acknowledges the progress made, McBride emphasized that there is still more work to be done to manage the ongoing challenges of illegal immigration and ensure community safety. The operations in Houston represent part of a broader strategy to address violent crime among illegal immigrants in the region.