ICE arrests previously deported Sureño gang member with lengthy criminal history

MCALLEN, Texas - ICE Homeland Security Investigations Rio Grande Valley arrested a previously deported convicted felon and member of the Sureños Gang on Sept. 9.

Gerardo Cesar Ramirez-Garza, 33, is a criminal alien from Mexico with a history of criminal activity and encounters with law enforcement including a two-year stint at the federal prison in Huntsville, Texas. At the time of his arrest, Ramirez-Garza was facing probation revocation charges for violating his probation by being in possession of narcotics.

"This dangerous convicted felon will no longer roam the streets of South Texas," said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Rio Grande Valley Deputy Special Agent in Charge Mark Lippa. "His arrest highlights HSI's unwavering commitment to safeguarding our communities from the threats posed by transnational criminal organizations and Sureño gang member who flagrantly violate our immigration laws. We remain steadfast in our mission to work alongside our partners to ensure that those who endanger public safety are swiftly brought to justice and permanently removed from our neighborhoods."

Ramirez-Garza first entered the United States on April 29, 1992, through the Rio Grande Valley using a nonimmigrant visa, but failed to depart as required. Between 2005 through 2010, he was arrested multiple times on charges of assault causing bodily injury and on Feb. 24, 2010, he was removed from the U.S. through the Hidalgo, Texas, Port of Entry. Since that removal, he has made several illegal reentries into the U.S. In April 2012, he was convicted in the 275th Judicial District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas, for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and sentenced to two years in prison His apprehension highlights HSI's commitment to identifying and removing individuals who pose a threat to public safety and violate U.S. immigration laws.

Ramirez-Garza has illegally reentered the U.S. several times between 2014 and 2018 and was removed twice before an immigration judge ordered him deported on Jan. 18, 2018. He was subsequently removed to Mexico through the Brownsville, Texas, Port of Entry.

Ramirez-Garza is currently charged federally with illegal reentry after deportation. If convicted, he faces significant penalties; including imprisonment and removal from the U.S. Under the previous administration, this individual never faced any consequences but today he faces federal charges.

HSI worked in close collaboration with our local law enforcement to locate and apprehend Ramirez-Garza. This arrest is part of HSI's broader efforts to disrupt gang-related crime and transnational threats.

HSI remains committed to leveraging its broad authorities and partnerships to combat gang-related crime and ensure the safety of communities across the nation.