Trump-Era ICE Agents Took Hundreds Of Child Predators Off the Streets

ICE Houston apprehended over 400 criminal illegal aliens with child predator convictions during Trump's first year back in office.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:40am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

According to an ICE press release, the agency's Houston office arrested more than 400 criminal illegal aliens with convictions for child predatory crimes during President Trump's first year back in office. This represents a significant increase from the previous year under the Biden administration, when 211 such arrests were made.

Why it matters

The apprehension of these child predators by ICE agents highlights the agency's focus on removing dangerous criminals from communities, even as some elected officials and media outlets have been critical of ICE's public safety mission.

The details

The press release detailed the arrests of 10 specific criminal illegal aliens with convictions for sexual crimes against minors, including charges such as sexual assault, possession of child pornography, and failure to register as a sex offender. Several of the individuals had been previously deported but illegally reentered the country.

  • In March 2026, ICE Houston released a press statement about the arrests.
  • The 414 arrests occurred during President Trump's first year back in office.
  • The previous year under the Biden administration saw 211 such arrests by ICE Houston.

The players

ICE

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws.

Gabriel Martinez

ICE ERO Houston acting Field Office Director, who issued a statement about the agency's efforts to apprehend criminal illegal aliens.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“While elected officials and media pundits across the country were zealously trying to manipulate the American public with fake news stories about ICE's public safety mission, the brave men and women of ICE were quietly going about their business to arrest and remove more than 400 dangerous child predators from our local communities.”

— Gabriel Martinez, ICE ERO Houston acting Field Office Director

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by ICE to prioritize the removal of criminal illegal aliens, particularly those convicted of sexual crimes against minors, despite criticism from some political figures and media outlets about the agency's mission and tactics.