A nationwide operation, codenamed “Angel’s Honor,” concluded recently, resulting in the arrest of over 1,030 individuals with criminal records who were in the country illegally. The operation was a direct response to a tragic event and a newly enacted law designed to protect American citizens.
The name “Angel’s Honor” is a poignant tribute to Laken Riley, a young nursing student whose life was brutally taken in 2024. Her murder sparked outrage and fueled the passage of the Laken Riley Act, legislation demanding the detention of non-citizens charged with serious crimes.
The Laken Riley Act mandates detention for those accused of offenses like burglary, assault on law enforcement, and crimes resulting in serious injury or death. This operation, carried out over fourteen days, represents the first large-scale enforcement effort under the new law.
Among those apprehended were individuals accused of horrific crimes, painting a disturbing picture of the dangers posed by some within the population residing in the country illegally. The arrests included individuals facing charges related to the sexual abuse and torture of children.
Jamie Escobar-Mirales, a 37-year-old from Mexico, was arrested and faces removal proceedings, with a history including arrests for two counts of child rape. Javier Diaz-Cabrera, 40, also from Mexico, faces similar accusations involving the sexual assault of minors.
The operation’s reach extended beyond sexual offenses. Evelyn Martinez-Rodriguez, 36, from Honduras, was arrested on charges including assault-torture and domestic violence. Fredy Garcia-Canan, 34, from Guatemala, already under a removal order, has a history of violent crimes involving weapons and endangering children.
Further arrests revealed a pattern of repeat offenses and ignored prior removal orders. Braulio Rosas-Ayala, 44, from Mexico, had been ordered deported in 1999 but remained in the country, facing accusations of rape and sodomy. Fernando Manzanares-Cruz, from El Salvador, had a removal order dating back to 2016 and a history of domestic violence and witness intimidation.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons emphasized the operation’s purpose, stating it was undertaken “in honor of the memory of Laken Riley.” He acknowledged the operation’s success while underscoring the devastating consequences of crime committed by those in the country illegally.
Lyons stressed that the mission of ICE is to prevent further tragedies, ensuring that American citizens are not victimized by criminal activity. “This operation…serves as a solemn reminder of the profound impact that immigrant violence and crime can have on victims and their loved ones,” he stated.
