Immigration authorities highlight criminal history of multiple migrants arrested in Los Angeles
Federal immigration authorities have reported that some of the migrants arrested in the Los Angeles area last week had criminal histories that included assault and drug offenses. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers conducted a series of raids in various locations, resulting in the arrest of nearly 45 individuals on Friday alone. These locations included two Home Depot stores, a store in the fashion district, and a doughnut shop, sparking protests against immigration enforcement operations in the city.
The weeklong tally of migrant arrests in Los Angeles surpassed 100, with one individual already being sent back to Mexico after being picked up at a Home Depot on Friday. The raids led to demonstrations and clashes between protesters and federal immigration authorities, resulting in the arrest of David Huerta, president of SEIU California, a labor union, on charges of impeding a federal agent during a protest.
One of the targeted locations was a warehouse in the fashion district, where agents executed a search warrant after a judge found probable cause that the employer was using fictitious documents for some of its workers. The U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesperson, Ciaran McEvoy, confirmed the raid and arrests in the area.
President Donald Trump deployed California National Guard troops to Los Angeles following the clashes between protesters and federal immigration authorities in riot gear. Federal sources provided details on some of the arrests made last week, highlighting individuals with violent and drug-related criminal histories.
One of the arrested individuals, Rolando Veneracion-Enriquez, a 55-year-old from the Philippines, has a criminal history that includes burglary and sexual assault offenses. Another individual, Jose Gregorio Medranda Ortiz from Ecuador, was arrested for his involvement in drug-related crimes in Florida. Armando Ordaz, a 44-year-old from Mexico, is an alleged active gang member with a history of sexual battery and theft offenses.
Additional arrests included Victor Mendoza-Aguilar, Delfino Aguilar-Martinez, Jesus Alan Hernandez-Morales, and Lionel Sanchez-Laguna, all with criminal histories ranging from drug possession to assault with a deadly weapon. These individuals were either served notices to appear or removed from the U.S. following their arrests.
The deployment of National Guard troops and the continued enforcement operations by ICE in Los Angeles have sparked debate and protests surrounding immigration policies and enforcement actions. The arrests of individuals with criminal histories have raised concerns about public safety and the need for stricter immigration enforcement measures.
