(The Center Square)–U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Houston arrested nearly 3,600 illegal foreign nationals during the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.
From Oct. 1 through Nov. 12, they arrested 3,593 foreign nationals with extensive criminal histories.
Among them were 67 sex offenders, 51 child predators, 13 murderers, 10 wanted fugitives and 23 gang members, including an MS-13 gang member who after he was released into the U.S. by the Biden administration allegedly committed a triple homicide in Dallas.
Their combined criminal convictions include DWIs (366), aggravated assault (261), burglary or theft (103), weapons offenses (46), aggravated kidnapping, drug and human trafficking and smuggling, making terroristic threats, evading and resisting arrest, prostitution, hit-and-run, bribery, auto theft, forgery, falsifying documents, trespassing, arson, violent sexual assaults, multiple aggravated child sex crimes, among others.
Many were previously deported multiple times and illegally reentered the U.S. multiple times, ICE said.
“Our entire team understands how critical ICE’s mission is to public safety and national security, and despite many of them going without pay, they continued to show up every day and give everything they had to protect this community from dangerous criminal illegal alien gang members, child predators, murderers and rapists,” ICE Enforcement and Removal Operation Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford said. “As a result of those efforts, 51 dangerous child predators are no longer free to prey on our children, 10 fugitives have been apprehended and will now face justice for their alleged offenses, and thousands of other violent criminal aliens have been removed from local communities throughout Southeast Texas and will be removed from the United States.”
ICE highlighted examples of the worst offenders, including a Honduran national and MS-13 gang member who was released into the U.S. by the Biden administration. Once in the U.S., he allegedly committed a triple homicide in Dallas County last April.
Another MS-13 gang member was arrested after illegally entering the U.S. eight times. His convictions include alien smuggling and illegal entry.
ICE highlighted examples of Biden administration policies that allowed criminals to remain in the U.S. instead of being deported.
In one case, ICE officers encountered a Mexican national and twice deported convicted rapist in September 2023, but “were unable to take him into custody or remove him from the country” because of a directive issued by former Acting ICE director Tae Johnson, ICE said. Johnson’s directive ordered ICE officers not to enforce federal immigration law prompting Texas sheriffs and the Federal Police Foundation to sue, The Center Square reported.
The policy prevented his deportation and he “went on to rape and assault a woman just one month later,” ICE said. He was convicted of sexual assault and aggravated assault last August. His criminal history includes convictions for drug possession, obstructing law enforcement, DWI and making false statements to law enforcement.
In another case, a Mexican national and convicted child predator who was previously deported four times was arrested by Edinburg Police officers in south Texas, “but no action was taken” by ICE because of the policy, ICE said. As a result, he remained in the U.S. illegally “and would go on to prey on an innocent child leading to his conviction for sexual indecency with a child” in January, ICE said. ICE has since deported him.
In another case, after a Mexican national illegally entered the U.S., the Biden administration released him and he went on to “prey on an innocent child and was convicted of sexual indecency with a child” in May 2022, ICE said. ICE has since deported him.
In another case, a Mexican national and child predator who illegally entered the U.S. seven times wasn’t deported. His convictions include multiple child sex crimes, aggravated assault with a weapon, and illegal entry. He has since been deported.
Examples of fugitives ICE arrested include a previously deported Mexican national wanted for homicide in Harris County; a Venezuelan who illegally entered the U.S. and was granted parole by the Biden administration and went on to illegally practice dentistry in Harris County; Honduran men wanted for homicide by Honduran officials, among others.
ICE is also encouraging members of the public to report crime and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing an online tip form.
Safeguarding Your American Dream: Discover the Power of America First Healthcare
In today’s economy, healthcare costs remain one of the biggest threats to financial stability and family security. Americans work hard to build a better life, yet rising medical expenses can quickly erode savings, force tough trade-offs, and even push families toward debt or bankruptcy. Medical bills continue to rank as the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, with millions facing underinsurance or unexpected out-of-pocket burdens that no one plans for. Many turn to government-run marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act, hoping for relief, only to discover that what appears affordable on paper often delivers higher long-term costs, limited real protection, and coverage that may not align with personal values or family needs.
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The allure of marketplace plans is easy to understand: open enrollment periods, premium tax credits for many households, and the promise of “comprehensive” benefits mandated by law. Yet recent data reveals a different reality, especially after the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies at the end of 2025. Enrollment for 2026 dropped by more than one million people compared to the prior year, with many shifting to lower-tier bronze plans to keep monthly premiums manageable.
These plans feature significantly higher deductibles—averaging around $7,500 nationally—and greater cost-sharing requirements. Families who once paid modest amounts after subsidies now face average premium increases of $65 or more per month, even as they accept plans that leave them responsible for thousands in upfront costs before meaningful coverage kicks in.
High deductibles create a dangerous barrier to care. Studies show that people in such plans are less likely to seek timely treatment for chronic conditions, attend preventive screenings, or fill necessary prescriptions. A seemingly minor illness or injury can balloon into major expenses when patients delay care until problems worsen. For a family of four, a single hospitalization, cancer diagnosis, or unexpected surgery can easily exceed the deductible, triggering coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums that still leave substantial bills. One recent analysis noted that some proposed changes could push family deductibles toward $31,000 in future years, further exposing households to financial risk.
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Values alignment represents another growing concern. Government-influenced plans operate within a framework shaped by federal mandates and political priorities that may not reflect conservative principles of limited government, personal freedom, and ethical stewardship. Families who want to direct their healthcare dollars toward providers and benefits that honor traditional values sometimes find marketplace options feel misaligned, forcing a compromise between affordability and conviction.
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Practical steps exist for anyone questioning their current coverage. Start with a no-obligation review of your existing policy to identify gaps—high deductibles, limited critical-care benefits, or escalating premiums. Compare total projected costs (premiums plus potential out-of-pocket expenses) rather than monthly premiums alone. Consider family health history, anticipated needs, and lifestyle priorities. Private agencies can present side-by-side options that include stronger wellness incentives, broader access, and plans built on shared values of self-reliance and freedom.
In an era when healthcare inflation continues to outpace general cost-of-living increases, relying solely on marketplace solutions carries growing risk. Families who proactively explore private alternatives frequently achieve meaningful savings while gaining peace of mind that their coverage truly works when needed most.
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Ultimately, protecting your family’s future requires looking beyond the marketing of “affordable” government options. By understanding the long-term costs hidden in high deductibles, shifting coverage tiers, and values mismatches, Americans can make empowered choices. Private, values-driven insurance offers a smarter path—one that rewards diligence, supports wellness, and delivers real security. For those ready to move beyond the limitations of traditional marketplace plans, a simple review can reveal options designed to serve families, not bureaucracies. The American Dream thrives when individuals and families retain control over their healthcare decisions, and thoughtful private coverage plays a vital role in making that possible.