ICE - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

07/14/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/14/2026 08:25

ICE Harlingen arrests 238 illegal aliens in a single day, setting record for Rio Grande Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas - ICE, in partnership with federal, state and local law enforcement officials, arrested 238 illegal aliens, achieving the highest single-day targeted arrests for the Enforcement and Removal Operations Harlingen field office area of operations June 18. The operation, aimed at increasing public safety by arresting and removing criminal illegal aliens from our communities, demonstrates a continued commitment to upholding ICE's mission of keeping the American people safe.

Among those arrested were criminal illegal aliens with convictions for attempted kidnapping, sexual battery and drug possession. The team also arrested an alleged Paisas gang member with arrests and convictions for assault causing bodily injury, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, driving while intoxicated and illegal reentry. These illegal aliens could face additional criminal charges for illegal re-entry into the United States. Under Secretary Mullin, ICE is focused on delivering the president's mandate to the American people to identify, arrest and remove illegal aliens from American communities, especially those with criminal records.

"The ICE mission continues to focus on enhancing public safety and restoring integrity to our nation's immigration system," said ICE Harlingen Field Office Director Juan Agudelo. "We will stop at nothing to keep our American communities safe by removing one criminal illegal alien at a time."

Some of the criminal illegal aliens arrested include:

  • Jose Alfredo Castillo-Mendoza, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of attempted kidnapping, sexual battery and illegal reentry.
  • Manuel Morales-Geronimo, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico and alleged Paisas gang member, with convictions for assault causing bodily injury, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, driving while intoxicated, one illegal entry into the United States and three illegal reentries.
  • Fernando Leonel Perez-Torres, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, with convictions for collision involving injury, theft, illegal entry and two illegal reentries.
  • Noe Tinoco Perez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, with convictions for felony possession of a controlled substance, maintaining a place for controlled substance, amphetamine trafficking and illegal reentry.
  • Juan Sebastian Chable-De La Cruz, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of unlawful carrying of a weapon and two illegal reentries.
  • Gilberto Hernandez-Valdez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico with convictions for driving under the influence of liquor, hit and run, obstructing police and three illegal entries.
  • Guadalupe Rosales, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
  • Gabino Guerrero-Flores, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of theft of property.

ICE continues to conduct routine daily immigration enforcement around the country as part of the agency's effort to arrest criminal aliens and other immigration violators with no legal basis to remain in the United States.

You can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE's public safety mission on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and Truth Social.

ICE - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement published this content on July 14, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 14, 2026 at 14:25 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]