ICE Targets Violent Criminals in Los Angeles Sweep, Arrests Murderers and Sex Offenders

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a targeted operation in Los Angeles, apprehending several undocumented immigrants with serious criminal convictions, including murder, sexual assault, and other violent crimes.

The operation, aimed at removing dangerous offenders from the community, has sparked controversy amid local insurrections and criticism from California officials.

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin sharply criticized state and local leaders, stating, “Why do Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass care more about violent murderers and sex offenders than they do about protecting their own citizens? These rioters in Los Angeles are fighting to keep rapists, murderers, and other violent criminals loose on Los Angeles streets. Instead of rioting, they should be thanking ICE officers every single day who wake up and make our communities safer.”

Below are just a few of the worst of the worst ICE arrested this week in Los Angeles:

Cuong Chanh Phan

A 49-year-old Vietnamese national, convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life.

Rolando Veneracion-Enriquez

A 55-year-old from the Philippines, convicted of burglary, sexual penetration with a foreign object with force, and assault with intent to commit rape, with sentences totaling over 40 years.

Lionel Sanchez-Laguna

A 55-year-old Mexican national, with convictions including discharging a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, spousal battery, child cruelty, and assault with a semi-automatic firearm.

Armando Ordaz

A 44-year-old from Mexico, convicted of sexual battery, receiving stolen property, and petty theft.

Francisco Sanchez-Arguello

A 38-year-old Mexican national, arrested for grand theft and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Jose Gregorio Medranda Ortiz

A 42-year-old from Ecuador, convicted of conspiracy to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine, sentenced to 135 months in prison.

Victor Mendoza-Aguilar

A 32-year-old Mexican national, convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, drug possession, and obstructing a public officer.

Delfino Aguilar-Martinez

A 51-year-old from Mexico, convicted of assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury.

Jose Cristobal Hernandez-Buitron

A 43-year-old Peruvian national, convicted of robbery with a 10-year sentence.

Jordan Mauricio Meza-Esquibel

A 32-year-old from Honduras, arrested for distribution of heroin and cocaine and domestic violence.

Jesus Alan Hernandez-Morales

A 26-year-old Mexican national, convicted of conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants.

The DHS emphasized that the operation targeted individuals posing significant threats to public safety. Insurrections have erupted in Los Angeles, with some accusing ICE of overreach.

ICE maintains that its focus remains on removing individuals with serious criminal convictions to ensure safer communities.