Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that during the first six months of 2025 they have arrested 356 undocumented gang members in the Houston area who entered the United States illegally on multiple occasions.
According to official data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the 356 arrestees entered the country illegally a total of 1,434 times and have 1,685 convictions for serious crimes such as murder, child molestation, sex trafficking, arson and robbery.
Gang members arrested by ICE in Houston
The number of arrests in this span represents a 375% increase over the 75 arrests made by ICE in the first six months of the previous administration (Joe Biden’s), and far exceeds the 115 total arrests recorded in all of 2021.
Those arrested belonged to more than 40 transnational gangs, including MS-13 (39 arrests), Tren de Aragua (25), Latin Kings (6), Paisas (159), Surenos-13 (12) and Tango Blast.
In a statement, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston acting Field Office Director, Gabriel Martinez, endorsed the strategy.
Martinez stated that the objective is to remove dangerous criminals from the country and contribute to public safety.
“our officers, the brave men and women of ICE continue to put their lives on the line every day to arrest violent transnational gang members, foreign fugitives and dangerous criminal aliens,” Martinez said.
Jonathan Morales-Abundis
Among those arrested there are particularly notorious cases.
Take the case of Jonathan Morales-Abundis, a 30-year-old Sureños-13 gang member from Mexico.
Morales-Abundis entered the U.S. illegally 29 times and has been convicted three times for illegal re-entry and once for immigrant smuggling and illegal entry.
Luis Fernando Nava-García
Also arrested was Luis Fernando Nava-Garcia, a Paisas gang member, who is only 20 years old and originally from Mexico.
Luis Fernando was arrested on May 5.
He entered the United States illegally 40 times and has been convicted twice for illegal re-entry.
José Pizano-Tierrablanca
ICE Houston arrested Jose Pizano-Tierrablanca, a 33-year-old Sureños-13 gang member from Mexico.
He entered the U.S. illegally four times and has been convicted of sexual indecency with a minor and illegal entry.
Most dangerous criminals sought
This Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation is part of the federal government’s strategy to prioritize the removal of the most dangerous criminals over immigrants without a criminal record.
However, activists and immigrant advocates have questioned the transparency of these figures and have warned of possible abuses or unjustified detentions.
For the Hispanic community in the U.S., especially in Texas, these arrests reflect a heavy-handed policy that seeks to focus efforts on dangerous criminals.
The recommendation is to stay informed, know your rights and follow the news closely as these operations develop.
our officers, the brave men and women of ICE continue to put their lives on the line every day to arrest violent transnational gang members, foreign fugitives and dangerous criminal aliens
Gabriel Martínez, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston acting Field Office Director
