The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico released its weekly immigration enforcement statistics, highlighting ongoing efforts in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations El Paso. Other federal, state, and county agencies also contributed to these actions.
For the week ending February 27, 2026, charges were filed against 72 individuals for illegal reentry after deportation under 8 U.S.C. 1326. Ten people faced charges related to alien smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324), while 61 were charged with illegal entry (8 U.S.C. 1325). Additionally, 80 individuals were charged with illegal entry as well as violations involving military security regulations and unauthorized entry onto military property. These latter cases stem from incidents at a newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico.
According to the office, many defendants prosecuted under illegal reentry statutes had prior criminal convictions that included fleeing accident scenes resulting in death or serious injury, possession of firearms by aliens, and previous immigration offenses.
A notable incident during this period involved Jose Cuyuch De Paz, who was encountered by Border Patrol agents near Sunland Park after entering the country illegally on foot. As agents attempted to detain him, De Paz fled into a residential area and resisted arrest by kicking an agent multiple times in the chest before being subdued by two officers. He is now charged with both illegal reentry and assault on a federal officer but has denied striking or kicking the agent.
So far in Fiscal Year 2026, there have been 18 reported assaults on El Paso Sector Border Patrol Agents; this follows a total of 88 such assaults during Fiscal Year 2025. The U.S. Border Patrol is working closely with both the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to prosecute those accused of assaulting federal officers—a cooperation officials say is essential for protecting law enforcement personnel and deterring future attacks.
These prosecutions are part of Operation Take Back America—an initiative described as mobilizing Department of Justice resources “to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from perpetrators of violent crime.”
Officials clarified that these statistics reflect only criminal prosecutions initiated by their office; they do not include individuals handled through administrative processes following apprehension by immigration authorities.
The District’s leadership emphasized public safety and border security as top priorities for 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.”
New Mexico comprises 33 counties along a stretch of international border totaling approximately 180 miles shared with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys based in Albuquerque and Las Cruces coordinate directly with law enforcement partners at all levels to address immigration-related crimes throughout this region.
