ICE Targets 'Worst of the Worst' Illegal Aliens in Los Angeles Amid Protests Supporting Criminals: DHS
DHS officials condemn anti-ICE protests in LA after arrests of 45 violent convicted illegal aliens.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have intensified efforts to apprehend the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens in Los Angeles, conducting a sweeping operation on Friday that targeted individuals with violent criminal records. According to authorities, those arrested include murderers, sex offenders, and other violent criminals, described by officials as the "worst of the worst."
The crackdown took place at multiple business locations throughout the city, sparking significant unrest. Protestors gathered outside several businesses during the operations, resulting in clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. The situation escalated to the point where authorities deployed flash bang devices in order to disperse crowds and restore order.
Overall, ICE reported approximately 45 arrests from various sites, including two Home Depot stores, an outlet in the bustling Fashion District, and a local doughnut shop. The operation was met with mixed reactions, with some residents expressing concern over law enforcement’s tactics while others praised the agency’s actions in removing dangerous individuals from the community.
Among those apprehended was Cuong Chanh Phan, 49, a Vietnamese national with a conviction for second-degree murder. Phan was previously found guilty of firing on a high school graduation party after an altercation, tragically killing an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old and injuring seven others. ICE officials cited this case as evidence of the urgent need for robust immigration enforcement.
Other individuals arrested included Rolando Veneracion-Enriquez, 55, of the Philippines, convicted of burglary and sexual assault; Lionel Sanchez-Laguna, 55, a Mexican national with charges ranging from gun violence to child cruelty; and Armando Ordaz, 44, of Mexico, who has a record involving sexual battery and theft.
Further arrests included Francisco Sanchez-Arguello, 38, also of Mexico, previously detained for grand theft larceny and weapons possession; Jose Gregorio Medranda Ortiz, 42, from Ecuador, convicted for a major drug conspiracy in Florida; and Victor Mendoza-Aguilar, 32, of Mexico, with prior convictions for drug offenses, assault, and obstruction of a public officer.
Delfino Aguilar-Martinez, 51, of Mexico, was held for a serious assault charge, while Jose Cristobal Hernandez-Buitron, 43, of Peru, was identified as a convicted robber. Jordan Mauricio Meza-Esquibel, 32, of Honduras, had prior convictions for narcotics distribution and domestic violence. In addition, Jesus Alan Hernandez-Morales, 26, of Mexico, was arrested for his involvement in alien smuggling operations.
Following these arrests, some public officials voiced strong criticism of local political leaders, questioning whether they were prioritizing community safety. "These rioters in Los Angeles are fighting to keep rapists, murderers, and other violent criminals loose on Los Angeles streets," stated a high-ranking Department of Homeland Security official, urging the public to recognize the risks posed by such individuals.
The fallout from the operation continues to reverberate through the city, with heightened debate over immigration enforcement, public safety, and the response of local authorities. As ICE maintains its commitment to targeting criminal offenders, the agency emphasized that its primary goal remains the protection of law-abiding residents across Los Angeles.
