Hundreds charged in South Texas border enforcement actions targeting illegal entry and smuggling
Houston, Texas – Federal prosecutors in South Texas reported a surge of immigration-related enforcement actions during the final week of February, underscoring ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and address unlawful entry and related crimes. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced that a total of 473 cases were filed between Feb. 20 and Feb. 26 as part of continuing enforcement measures aimed at protecting the southern border.
The filings include charges against 23 individuals allegedly involved in human smuggling operations. Authorities also filed 202 criminal complaints for illegal entry and charged another 244 individuals with felony reentry after prior removal. Prosecutors noted that many of those charged with felony reentry have prior convictions, including narcotics offenses, violent crimes, and immigration violations. The remaining cases involve other immigration-related offenses.
Felony reentry cases and prior convictions
Among the newly filed cases are three men from different countries accused of felony reentry after removal. Joel Antonio Alvarez-Reyes of El Salvador and Arturo Corona-Santiago of Mexico, both previously convicted of burglary, were allegedly found in the McAllen area without legal authorization to be in the United States. Ariel Lazaro Hernandez-Misiara of Honduras, who has a conviction for cocaine trafficking, was allegedly discovered near Roma after having been removed from the country on Jan. 2. If convicted, each faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
In Corpus Christi, a federal jury convicted 63-year-old Penitas resident Ludivina Vasquez-Salinas of transporting an illegal alien further into the United States. Authorities encountered her on May 7, 2025, driving a white SUV and noticed movement beneath a blanket on the rear floorboard. Vasquez-Salinas initially claimed only she and her daughter were in the vehicle but later admitted she knew an illegal alien was present and that she was transporting the person past a checkpoint. The jury deliberated for just 25 minutes before returning a guilty verdict.
Prison sentences imposed in multiple cases
In Houston, two previously removed felons were sentenced to federal prison for unlawful reentry. Raymundo Pecina-Lopez received 39 months, and Samuel Moreno-Soto was sentenced to 18 months. Both Mexican nationals have prior convictions involving assault of a family member and narcotics offenses.
Two Honduran nationals, Elmer Adalid Alonzo-Zelaya and Cristian Jose Ayestas-Argueta, were also ordered to prison after being found unlawfully in the United States following prior removals. Alonzo-Zelaya has convictions for aggravated assault, obstruction of an officer, and driving without a valid license. Ayestas-Argueta has prior convictions for assault of a family member and trespassing. Mexican national Edgar Jaramillo-Escobar, previously convicted of illegal reentry and assault causing bodily injury, was also sentenced in Houston.
Additional sentencings occurred in Corpus Christi, where Mexican nationals Serafin Garcia-Rodriguez and Hugo Balderas Juarez were ordered to federal prison for new illegal reentry offenses. Both have prior convictions for illegal entry and drug charges, and Juarez also has a prior conviction for driving under the influence.
In Houston, Veronica Michelle Torres pleaded guilty to illegal reentry after authorities discovered she was unlawfully present in the country. Records show she has felony convictions including credit card abuse and unlawful carrying of a weapon. She now faces up to 10 years in prison.
Coordinated enforcement effort
These cases were referred or supported by multiple federal law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
Officials said the prosecutions are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative designed to marshal Department of Justice resources to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent offenders.
Under current leadership, authorities say public safety and border security remain top priorities for the district. Enhanced enforcement efforts at the border and within the interior of the district have resulted in arrests of individuals engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions related to human trafficking, sexual assault, and violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the country, covering 43 counties and more than nine million residents across 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys in offices throughout Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen, and Laredo continue working closely with federal, state, and local partners to prosecute immigration and other federal crimes.
Officials say the week’s cases reflect ongoing enforcement priorities and the continued coordination of law enforcement agencies working to address border-related offenses and protect communities throughout South Texas.
