ICE Arrests Violent Illegal Alien Sex Offender After Governor Pritzker and Illinois Sanctuary Politicians Released Him From Jail Into the Community

 News Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

ICE Arrests Violent Illegal Alien Sex Offender After Governor Pritzker and Illinois Sanctuary Politicians Released Him From Jail Into the Community Erik Giovanni-Quiroa was convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a 5-year-old child WASHINGTON — The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Chicago arrested a criminal illegal alien who was released by Illinois sanctuary politicians despite charges for child sex abuse. Erik Giovanni-Quiroa, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, has a criminal history that includes a conviction in 2011 for aggravated battery with a firearm, for which he was sentenced to 16 years in prison, and a conviction in 2025 for aggravated sexual abuse of a 5-year-old child, for which he was sentenced to three years in prison. ICE lodged a detainer with the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), but Governor J.B. Pritzker and his fellow Illinois sanctuary politicians refused to cooperate with ICE and RELEASED this pedophile from jail into the community. On April 22, 2026, ICE conducted a targeted vehicle stop and arrested him at large in the community. Giovanni-Quiroa again endangered the public by refusing to stop when given lawful commands and attempting to flee in his vehicle. Officers eventually safely arrested him, and he remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings and will receive full due process. “It is shameful that Governor Pritzker and his Illinois sanctuary politicians chose to RELEASE a pedophile from jail back into our communities,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “ICE law enforcement arrested this pedophile who sexually abused a 5-year-old child. Governor Pritzker must end this insanity and stop releasing pedophiles into our communities. Sanctuary politicians protect criminal illegal aliens and allow them to perpetrate more crimes and create more victims.”  Giovanni-Quiroa illegally entered the country in 2002. In December 2025, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons sent a letter to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul calling on him to put the safety of Americans first and honor ICE arrest detainers of the more than 4,000 criminal illegal aliens in the state’s custody, including murderers, sexual predators, and those convicted of or charged with weapons offenses. When sanctuary politicians ignore ICE detainers, they are protecting criminal illegal aliens at the expense of American citizens. These are criminals with prior convictions for rape, murder, drug trafficking and other dangerous crimes, and instead of holding them for ICE, sanctuary politicians release them back into our communities.

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DHS Suspends Former South Florida Congresswoman, Associates After Indictment Alleging $5.7 Million Disaster Fraud

 News Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

DHS Suspends Former South Florida Congresswoman, Associates After Indictment Alleging $5.7 Million Disaster Fraud WASHINGTON – Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Markwayne Mullin, DHS and FEMA are working with federal, state and local law enforcement to investigate fraud and hold offenders accountable. Consistent with this commitment, the DHS Office of the General Counsel and the FEMA Office of Chief Counsel have indefinitely suspended former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of South Florida, her brother Edwin Cherfilus and multiple associates and affiliated entities following a federal indictment alleging they misappropriated approximately $5.7 million in disaster funds and used the proceeds for personal enrichment and illegal campaign contributions. In this case, FEMA provided disaster funding to the State of Florida through the Public Assistance program to support the state-led COVID-19 vaccination efforts. “Former Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick abused Americans’ trust in the most egregious way possible. She manipulated the COVID-19 crisis to funnel over $5 million dollars of FEMA relief funds to her and her family members,” said James Percival, DHS General Counsel. “This is outright fraud. That’s exactly what a federal grand jury and the U.S. House of Representatives found. I am proud that my office is taking the first step to ensure she is held accountable and American taxpayers’ money is protected from further misuse.” These actions are in alignment with President Trump’s Executive Order establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, led by Vice President JD Vance, which directs federal agencies to combat fraud, waste and abuse in federal benefit programs, restore integrity to taxpayer-funded safety‑net programs and ensure that benefits go only to eligible Americans. The overpayment and subsequent misuse of funds were identified through a combination of state-level reconciliation, FEMA’s closeout process, and a federal investigation led by the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Public Integrity Unit. FEMA’s Office of the Chief Security Officer and Public Assistance program staff worked closely with the DOJ to explain FEMA’s funding processes to help trace the flow of funds and support the government’s efforts to protect taxpayers. Members of the public who suspect disaster fraud related to FEMA programs are encouraged to report by emailing StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov. Timely reporting helps protect disaster survivors, strengthens program integrity and supports the administration’s efforts to safeguard taxpayer dollars.

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ICE Asks Governor Newsom and California Sanctuary Politicians to Not Release Illegal Alien Arrested for Fatal Stabbing in San Francisco

 Press Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

ICE Asks Governor Newsom and California Sanctuary Politicians to Not Release Illegal Alien Arrested for Fatal Stabbing in San Francisco This illegal alien from Venezuela was released into the country by the Biden administration WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement confirming that Wilfredo Jose Tortolero-Arriechi, who is charged in the fatal stabbing of a man in San Francisco, California in December is an illegal alien. On December 11, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer requesting that California sanctuary politicians not release Tortolero-Arriechi from jail. This criminal illegal alien from Venezuela stabbed 51-year-old Alberto Rangel at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on December 4. Rangel died of his injuries two days later, on December 6. The victim: Alberto Rangel The suspect: Wilfredo Jose Tortolero-Arriechi  “If it weren’t for the Biden administration’s reckless open-border policies, Alberto Rangel would still be alive,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “We are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to commit to not releasing this murderer from jail. California’s sanctuary policies put American lives at risk. Criminal illegal aliens should not be released from jails back onto our streets to terrorize more innocent Americans. If we work together, we can make America safe again. 7 of the 10 safest cities in the U.S. cooperate with ICE law enforcement.” In the weeks before the attack, Tortolero-Arriechi reportedly threatened his doctor and staff at the hospital. He now faces charges for homicide and use of a deadly weapon, and is currently being held at the San Francisco County Jail. U.S. Border Patrol agents first encountered Tortolero-Arriechi in 2023. He was then released into the country by the Biden administration. In February, ICE Director Todd Lyons sent a letter to California Attorney General Rob Bonta calling on him to put the safety of Americans first and honor ICE arrest detainers of the more than 33,000 criminal illegal aliens in California’s custody.

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ICE Arrests Pedophiles, Sexual Assailants, and Drug Traffickers During National Crime Victims Week

 Press Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

ICE Arrests Pedophiles, Sexual Assailants, and Drug Traffickers During National Crime Victims Week During National Crime Victims Week, DHS remembers the innocent American lives stolen at the hands of criminal illegal aliens WASHINGTON –– Yesterday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more criminal illegal aliens convicted for horrific crimes including aggravated sexual assault, lewd or lascivious acts with a child, assault by strangulation, and distribution of methamphetamine. “During National Crime Victims Week, DHS is continuing its work to fight for justice for victims of illegal alien crime. By removing criminal illegal aliens from our communities, ICE is stopping them before they can perpetrate more crimes and create more victims,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Just yesterday, ICE arrested pedophiles, rapists, and drug traffickers. Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, DHS will never stop fighting for justice for the innocent Americans whose lives were stolen by illegal aliens who should have never been in our country.” Yesterday’s arrests include: Carlos Portillo-Nunez, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted for lewd or lascivious acts with a child in Indio, California. Pablo Blanco-Fortuna, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for aggravated sexual assault and failure to register as a sex offender in Hidalgo County, Texas. Eladio Laines, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted for sexual assault and unlawful restraint - serious bodily injury in Chester, Pennsylvania. Roberto Vallejo-Benitez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for assault by strangulation in Wake County, North Carolina. Alfredo Delgado-Perez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for distribution of methamphetamine in Los Angeles, California. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423. Americans can see more public safety threats arrested in their communities on our webpage WOW.DHS.Gov.

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ICE Arrests Illegal Alien Charged with Possessing Child Pornography Who Was Released by Sanctuary Fairfax County

 Press Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

ICE Arrests Illegal Alien Charged with Possessing Child Pornography Who Was Released by Sanctuary Fairfax County Fairfax County refused to honor an ICE detainer and released this criminal back onto the streets WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested an illegal alien charged with possessing child pornography after Fairfax County sanctuary politicians RELEASED this pedophile from jail. Roni Mendez-Escobar, an illegal alien from Guatemala, was arrested at-large in Fairfax County following his release by sanctuary politicians. He was previously arrested in October of 2025 for 15 felony counts of possession of obscene material and 2 felony counts of possession of child porn with intent to distribute. Following his arrest, ICE lodged a detainer on October 23, 2025 requesting Fairfax sanctuary politicians NOT release this child predator from jail. Disturbingly, Fairfax County sanctuary politicians released Mendez-Escobar on October 27, 2025 without notifying ICE. On April 22, 2026, ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington D.C arrested Mendez-Escobar after a court appearance in Fairfax County. “This sicko has been charged with multiple counts of possession of child pornography and possession of child pornography with intent to distribute. Despite these heinous crimes, sanctuary politicians in Fairfax County, Virginia REFUSED to honor ICE’s detainer and RELEASED a child predator from jail without notifying ICE,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Thanks to our law enforcement, this dangerous criminal is off our streets once again. This is yet another example of the recklessness of sanctuary policies that put politics above public safety.” Mendez-Escobar was previously deported THREE times in 2015 before illegally entering the United States a fourth time at an unknown place and time. This is not the first example of sanctuary policies endangering residents of Fairfax County, which has become a hotbed of illegal alien crime in recent months: Earlier this month, Misael Lopez Gomez, an illegal alien from Guatemala, was arrested and charged with murder and felony child abuse after bludgeoning his own 3-month-old daughter to death. In March, Anibal Armando Chavarria Muy, another illegal alien from Guatemala, was arrested and charged with second degree murder after fatally stabbing a man inside his home. In February, Abdul Jalloh, an illegal alien from Sierra Leone with more than 30 prior arrests, was charged with murder after fatally stabbing 41-year-old Stephanie Minter at a bus stop.

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HSI Announces Sentencing of British Alien for Nearly $100 Million Ponzi Scheme Involving a Fake Wine Company

 Press Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

HSI Announces Sentencing of British Alien for Nearly $100 Million Ponzi Scheme Involving a Fake Wine Company James Wellesley will serve ten years in prison for wire fraud conspiracy WASHINGTON – Today, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced the ten-year sentencing of James Andrew Wellesley for his role in a Ponzi-like scheme that defrauded investors of nearly $100 million. In July of 2025, HSI New York joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) New York office in a joint investigation of the London and Hong Kong registered firm Bordeaux Cellars. James Wellesley and his partner posed as executives at Bordeaux Cellars and raised nearly $100 million by promising investors regular interest payments from high net worth wine collectors. This scheme targeted nearly 140 individuals located around the world, including 71 people in the U.S., 21 in the U.K., and 10 in Hong Kong. “Anyone who steals from Americans will be held accountable. This fake wine company was a $100 million Ponzi scheme,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “We are thankful for the cooperation with FBI’s New York office in the investigation and sentencing of this foreign fraudster.” James Andrew Wellesley From at least June 2017 through February of 2019, Wellesley represented himself as Chief Financial Officer and Operations Manager at Bordeaux Cellars. During this time, Wellesley and his partners solicited investors at conferences and networking events. Victims who unknowingly invested in the fraud scheme received purported interest payments sourced from new investment funds fraudulently obtained by Bordeaux Cellars. Wellesley has two prior criminal convictions in the U.K., including for false accounting and a prison stint for mortgage fraud. He was extradited to the U.S. in July of 2025. On April 20, 2026, Wellesley was sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $1 million in forfeiture.

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Alien From Mexico Pleads Guilty and Convicted of Voter Fraud for Falsely Claiming To Be a U.S. Citizen

 Press Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

Alien From Mexico Pleads Guilty and Convicted of Voter Fraud for Falsely Claiming To Be a U.S. Citizen Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Mullin, states now have access to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to ensure only Americans vote in American elections WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after Jose Ceballos, an alien from Mexico, pled guilty and was convicted of voter fraud for unlawfully voting multiple times and falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen on voter registration forms. He fraudulently said on his application for U.S. citizenship that he never falsely claimed to be a citizen. Following prosecution from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, Ceballos pled guilty to three counts of Disorderly Election Conduct. Jose “Joe” Ceballos-Armendariz This is not the first time Ceballos broke our nation’s laws. In 1995, he was convicted of battery. Ceballos was granted a green card in 1990. He applied for U.S. citizenship in February 2025. “This alien has now been convicted of illegally voting in American elections,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “The SAVE program is a critical tool for state and local governments to safeguard the integrity of elections across the country. President Trump has been unequivocal: Nothing is more fundamental than the integrity and security of our elections. That’s why the Trump Administration has repeatedly called on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act — commonsense legislation that requires voters to present photo ID and implements other critical measures to protect federal elections from fraud. Our elections belong to American citizens, not foreign citizens.” Pictured below are his voter registration forms where he falsely claimed he was a U.S. citizen: He again committed a felony by lying on his naturalization application that he had never claimed to be a U.S. citizen: Since April 2025, more than 24,000 cases have been identified by SAVE as potential non-U.S. citizens who were on voter rolls, and those cases have been referred to ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further investigation. Over the past year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has overhauled the SAVE program, making it fully operational and providing states with an easy-to-use tool that has resulted in over 60 million voter verification queries processed since April 2025. USCIS is committed to helping eliminate voter fraud and restoring trust in America's elections by ensuring only U.S. citizens vote. USCIS continues to strengthen the SAVE program and encourages all states to utilize it. USCIS has been working with states this year using the updated SAVE program functionality to process voter verification queries. Through this process, thousands of non-citizens on state voter rolls have been identified. SAVE is a secure and reliable way for user states to verify the citizenship or immigration status of individuals registering to vote to prevent aliens from illegally participating in our elections. USCIS urges all states to adopt SAVE and join us in safeguarding the voting rights of American citizens.

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