In Albuquerque, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico has released its weekly report on immigration enforcement activities. The office, in collaboration with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, prosecuted a range of border-related crimes during a two-week period ending January 9, 2025.
According to the office, 85 individuals were charged with illegal reentry after deportation under federal law. Five individuals faced charges related to alien smuggling. In addition, 96 people were charged with illegal entry into the United States. Another group of 28 individuals was charged not only with illegal entry but also with violating military security regulations and entering military or defense property in connection with a recently established National Defense Area in New Mexico.
The office reported that many defendants charged with illegal reentry had previous criminal convictions for offenses such as burglary, narcotics possession, DUI, assault, fraud, and prior immigration violations.
“These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime,” stated the release.
The statistics provided reflect prosecutions conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Mexico and do not include those who were apprehended but processed administratively by immigration authorities.
“Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the District of New Mexico. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children,” said officials from the office.
New Mexico’s district covers 33 counties along approximately 180 miles bordering Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys based in Albuquerque and Las Cruces continue to work alongside various federal, state, and local agencies to address immigration-related offenses within this jurisdiction.
