ICE wrapped up a 14-day enforcement push called Operation “Angel’s Honor” that led to the arrest of more than 1,030 criminal illegal aliens under the Laken Riley Act. The operation was timed around the holidays and named in memory of Laken Riley, whose death sparked the new law mandating detention for certain violent offenses. Officials highlighted a string of arrests, including suspects accused of sexual violence, child abuse, and assaults, and framed the roundup as a firm step toward keeping communities safer.
The agency described the effort as the “successful conclusion” of a concentrated enforcement window that targeted non-citizens with serious criminal histories. The Laken Riley Act, passed with bipartisan support and signed by President Donald Trump, requires mandatory detention for non-citizens charged with defined crimes like burglary, theft, assault on an officer, and any offense causing serious bodily injury or death. That legal change gave ICE the authority to hold and process offenders who otherwise might evade custody.
Officials repeatedly tied the operation to Laken Riley’s case, stressing the need for tougher enforcement to prevent repeat tragedies. ICE released details on dozens of arrests, calling out individuals alleged to have committed some of society’s worst crimes. The names and specific charges were part of the agency’s effort to show the concrete results of a policy approach centered on enforcement and removal.
Among those ICE cited was Jamie Escobar-Mirales, 37, who was arrested on Dec. 18 and faces removal proceedings after prior arrests that include two counts of rape of a child. Javier Diaz-Cabrera, 40, was also taken into custody on Dec. 18; his record allegedly includes illegal sexual contact with a victim under 13 and sexual assault by a guardian. ICE said Evelyn Martinez-Rodriguez, 36, was arrested on Dec. 9 and has prior arrests for assault-torture and willful abuse of a child along with domestic violence charges.
Other named suspects included Fredy Garcia-Canan, 34, arrested Dec. 19 with an outstanding removal order from 2024 and prior allegations of intentional bodily harm with a deadly weapon, criminal discharge of a firearm and aggravated endangering to a child. Brandon Barrientos-Garcia, 28, was also arrested on Dec. 19; his record reportedly includes assault by strangulation, breaking and entering to terrorize or injure, and domestic violence assault. ICE pointed to older cases as well, noting Braulio Rosas-Ayala, 44, who was ordered removed in 1999 and whose criminal history includes arrest records for rape and sodomy.
Officials emphasized that some arrested suspects were accused of crimes involving children, sexual violence, and weapons, presenting the roundup as a focused strike against dangerous offenders. Fernando Manzanares-Cruz, 40, is another example ICE highlighted; he was arrested Dec. 16 and had a removal order from 2016, with prior arrests listed for assault and battery of a pregnant victim and witness intimidation. The agency framed these names as representative of the types of cases the Laken Riley Act now forces into custody and removal proceedings.
In the Monday statement, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that Trump “empowered us to arrest and remove the millions of violent criminal illegal aliens unleashed on the United States by the previous administration.” “Now, these criminals will face justice and be removed from our country,” said Noem. “We can never bring Laken back, but we can do everything in our power to bring these heinous criminals to justice,” she went on, adding, “I am so proud of what our brave men and women of ICE have done to remove these criminals from America’s streets.”
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons put the operation in personal terms, tying its name to the victim it honors. “We named this operation ‘Angel’s Honor’ in honor of the memory of Laken Riley, whose life was tragically cut short by illegal alien crime.” “This operation, while a massive success, also serves as a solemn reminder of the profound impact that immigrant violence and crime can have on victims and their loved ones,” said Lyons. “ICE’s mission,” said Lyons, “is to ensure that no more Americans will fall victim to illegal alien crime.”
