DOJ New Mexico District: Weekly Immigration & Border Crimes Update – Week Ending July 11, 2025

New Mexico Prosecutors Charge 136 in One Week Amid Border Security Push

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico revealed robust enforcement actions this week, announcing criminal charges against 136 individuals for immigration-related offenses and other federal crimes. The statistics, covering the period ending July 11, 2025, highlight intensified efforts in partnership with the U.S. Border Patrol’s el Paso Sector, Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and various state and local agencies.

Key charges filed include:

57 individuals faced charges for Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C.1326). Many of these defendants have prior convictions for serious offenses such as child endangerment, drug trafficking, and previous deportations.
7 individuals were charged with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324).
42 individuals were charged with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325).
An additional 30 individuals were charged with Illegal Entry, coupled with violations of military security regulations (50 U.S.C. 797) and entering restricted military property (18 U.S.C. 1382). These charges stem from activity within the newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico.

These prosecutions are part of Operation Take back America, a national initiative by the department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office also highlighted notable cases, including the 19-year prison sentence for Rudy Garcia for fentanyl trafficking and using a firearm during a drug crime. In another instance,Reymondo Mandonado was charged for possessing 166 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a tractor trailer,intercepted by New Mexico State Police shortly after crossing the international border.

The District of New Mexico, which shares 180 miles of border with Mexico, emphasizes public safety and border security as top priorities. Enhanced enforcement operations have reportedly led to the apprehension of individuals involved in human trafficking, sexual assault, and crimes against children.

The figures represent prosecutions handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico and do not include individuals processed solely through administrative immigration procedures.

What specific federal statutes were potentially violated in the Roswell Operation involving human smuggling?

key Enforcement Actions – July 5th – July 11th, 2025

This weekly update from the Department of Justice, New Mexico District, details meaningful enforcement actions related to immigration crimes and border security within the region. The focus remains on dismantling criminal organizations exploiting the border and ensuring public safety. This report covers the period from July 5th to July 11th,2025.

Human Smuggling Cases

Roswell Operation: A multi-agency operation in Roswell, NM, resulted in the arrest of five individuals charged wiht human smuggling. The examination, led by the DOJ’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), revealed a network transporting undocumented migrants from the border to various locations across the state.Evidence suggests the operation profited over $150,000 in the last six months. Charges include conspiracy to commit human smuggling and harboring undocumented immigrants.

Las Cruces Trafficking: Two individuals were indicted in Las Cruces on charges of alien trafficking and conspiracy. The indictment alleges they operated a stash house where migrants were held against their will while awaiting transportation further into the U.S. The investigation was triggered by a tip from local residents.

Santa Fe Case: A single defendant was arrested in Santa Fe for repeated violations of immigration law, specifically related to knowingly re-entering the United states after deportation. The individual has a prior conviction for aggravated felony assault.

Drug Trafficking & Border Crime Intersections

The DOJ continues to emphasize the link between illegal immigration and drug trafficking.Several cases this week highlight this connection:

Sunland Park Seizure: Border Patrol agents, working with the DOJ, intercepted a vehicle near Sunland Park containing 75 pounds of methamphetamine concealed within the vehicle’s frame. The driver, a U.S. citizen with ties to a Mexican cartel, faces federal charges for drug trafficking and conspiracy.

Anthony, TX Arrests: three individuals were arrested in Anthony, TX (adjacent to New Mexico) on charges related to the transportation of fentanyl.The investigation revealed the suspects were facilitating the movement of undocumented migrants alongside narcotics.

Deming Investigation: An ongoing investigation in Deming is focusing on a suspected transnational criminal organization involved in both human and drug smuggling.Preliminary findings indicate the organization is utilizing sophisticated methods to evade detection.

Document Fraud & Identity Theft

Protecting the integrity of U.S.documents remains a priority.

Albuquerque Fraud Scheme: An individual in Albuquerque was charged with aggravated identity theft and possession of fraudulent identification documents. The suspect allegedly created and sold fake driver’s licenses and social security cards to undocumented immigrants.

Farmington Case: A case in Farmington involved the revelation of a sophisticated operation producing counterfeit permanent resident cards (“green cards”). The investigation is ongoing to determine the scope of the operation and identify all involved parties.

Recent Sentencing Updates

Human Smuggling – El Paso: ricardo Alvarez, previously convicted of human smuggling in El Paso, TX (relevant due to cross-border activity impacting New Mexico), was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison.

Illegal Re-entry – Las Cruces: Maria Hernandez, convicted of illegal re-entry after deportation, received a 18-month sentence in Las Cruces.

Resources for Reporting Immigration & Border Crime

The DOJ encourages the public to report any suspected immigration violations or border-related criminal activity.

FBI Tip Line: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)

U.S. Border Patrol: report suspicious activity to the nearest Border Patrol station.

ICE Tip Line: https://www.ice.gov/tips

Local Law Enforcement: Contact your local police department or sheriff’s office.

Understanding the legal Framework

Several federal laws govern immigration enforcement and border security. Key statutes include:

8 U.S.C. § 1324: Prohibits bringing undocumented immigrants into the U.S. for commercial advantage or by concealing them.

8 U.S.C. § 1326: Addresses the crime of illegal re-entry after deportation.

* 18 U.S.C. § 1028: Covers aggravated identity theft.

The Impact of Globalization on Border Security

Recent reports, such as the World Economic Forum’s analysis on immigration (https://www.weforum.org/stories/2016/01/how-immigration-has-changed-the-world-for-the-better/), highlight the complex relationship between globalization and migration. While increased interconnectedness can drive economic growth, it also presents challenges for border security and requires robust enforcement measures to combat criminal exploitation. The DOJ remains committed to addressing these challenges while upholding the rule of law.