In a recent announcement, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico released its immigration enforcement statistics for the two-week period ending February 6, 2026. The prosecutions were conducted in collaboration with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and other federal, state, and county agencies.
During this period, authorities charged 124 individuals with illegal reentry after deportation under 8 U.S.C. 1326. Thirteen people faced charges related to alien smuggling under 8 U.S.C. 1324. Another 122 individuals were charged with illegal entry under 8 U.S.C. 1325.
Additionally, there were 58 cases involving illegal entry (8 U.S.C. 1325), violations of military security regulations (50 U.S.C. 797), and entering military, naval, or Coast Guard property (18 U.S.C. 1382). These charges stemmed from incidents at the newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico.
The office noted that many defendants charged under illegal reentry statutes had prior convictions for offenses such as domestic violence, drug trafficking, aggravated assault, and previous immigration violations.
These prosecutions are part of Operation Take Back America. According to the statement: “Operation Take Back America is 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.”
The figures reported represent only those prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico and do not include individuals handled through administrative processes by immigration enforcement officials.
The office emphasized that public safety and border security remain its top priorities. It stated: “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.”
New Mexico’s district covers all 33 counties in the state and shares a border spanning approximately 180 miles with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys based in Albuquerque and Las Cruces work closely with various law enforcement partners to prosecute federal offenses related to immigration.
