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Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Tag: illegal immigrants
March 17, 2025
Immigration
News

Trump’s Troop Deployments Have Transformed Border Security: Patrol Chief.

The chief of San Diego’s Border Patrol has acknowledged that President Donald J. Trump’s move to send the military to support border control efforts has been a “force multiplier” and is already showing results. Jeffrey Stalnaker, acting Chief Patrol Agent for the San Diego Sector, noted that military personnel presence had enhanced the work of border agents.

The operation sees Army, Marines, and Navy service members supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. Recent CBP data indicates that border apprehensions in February reached levels not seen since 2000, with 30,000 encounters recorded. This contrasts sharply with the over 130,000 encounters reported in the same month in 2023 and 2024.

Last month, Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks reported that illegal crossings had dropped as much as 94 percent under the current Trump administration.

Stalnaker attributes these developments to the military presence, which allows for swift agent deployment to law enforcement events. Specifically, Task Force Sapper, comprising nearly 500 Marines, has focused on fortifying existing barriers with additional protection, including strategically placing razor wire.

The Marines, supported by companies of Army engineers and military police from Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, are engaged in surveillance and detection along stretches of the border. While not directly intervening in crossings, these troops serve as a vital observational network, freeing CBP agents to prioritize response and apprehension efforts.

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The chief of San Diego's Border Patrol has acknowledged that President Donald J. Trump's move to send the military to support border control efforts has been a "force multiplier" and is already showing results. Jeffrey Stalnaker, acting Chief Patrol Agent for the San Diego Sector, noted that military personnel presence had enhanced the work of border agents. show more
March 14, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Illegal Immigrant Accused of Fatally Beating Infant.

An illegal immigrant in New York has been arrested and accused of fatally assaulting his two-month-old daughter. Marlon Rabanales-Pretzantzin, 20, was charged with second-degree murder following his arrest on Wednesday, related to the death of his daughter, Liseyda Rabanales Barrios. Authorities responded to a call concerning a choking incident at an Inwood residence on March 7, shortly after 10:30 AM. Emergency services transported the infant to a hospital and later to another facility, where she succumbed to her injuries.

Nassau County Police Department’s investigation revealed signs of physical abuse, including abrasions and fractures on the infant. Detective Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick stated that Rabanales-Pretzantzin “admitted to us what had happened with the baby, how he abused it physically, how he felt the child wasn’t his, and how he did not respect or want that child.” He added that the illegal had admitted he “hit the child several times around the head and face” and “threw the child on the ground.”

Also residing in the home with Rabanales-Pretzantzin was the children’s 20-year-old mother. Another child, a one-year-old boy, was removed for medical evaluation, though police do not suspect the mother’s involvement in the alleged abuse.

Rabanales-Pretzantzin was arraigned without bail in Nassau County Court on Thursday. Patrick Ryder, Nassau County Police Commissioner, confirmed that the accused is originally from Guatemala and had entered the U.S. via El Paso, Texas, under the former Biden government policy commonly called “catch and release.”

Ryder stated that once Rabanales-Pretzantzin’s legal proceedings are completed in Nassau County, a determination will be made regarding his deportation.

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An illegal immigrant in New York has been arrested and accused of fatally assaulting his two-month-old daughter. Marlon Rabanales-Pretzantzin, 20, was charged with second-degree murder following his arrest on Wednesday, related to the death of his daughter, Liseyda Rabanales Barrios. Authorities responded to a call concerning a choking incident at an Inwood residence on March 7, shortly after 10:30 AM. Emergency services transported the infant to a hospital and later to another facility, where she succumbed to her injuries. show more
March 12, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Immigration

Trump’s ICE Reveals Biden Regime ‘Cooked the Books’ on Illegals, ‘Purposely Misleading’ the Public.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests since President Donald J. Trump took office are already outpacing arrests made in all of 2024, the agency said Wednesday—and the Biden government had been “cooking the books” to produce its numbers. “We have uncovered that the previous administration… was cooking the books on ICE data,” acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told reporters. “They were purposely misleading the American people by categorizing individuals processed and released into the interior of the United States as ICE arrests.”

Lyons confirmed a “comprehensive review was done internally here with ICE,” finding “tens of thousands of cases that were recorded as arrests when, in fact, these instances were illegal aliens that were simply processed and released into the American communities,” he said.

Senior officials report that the majority of the 113,431 arrests made in FY 2024 were so-called “pass-through” arrests, meaning that ICE did not take enforcement action against those migrants and instead released them into the interior. No arrests made by ICE under the Trump administration have been pass-through arrests: “What we are doing now is actual immigration enforcement, not enforcement theater,” an official said.

For interior arrests, ICE made 33,242 at-large arrests in FY 2024. For comparison, officials say ICE made 32,809 arrests from January 20 to March 10, meaning they will surpass the FY 2024 number this week.

The Trump administration says its efforts are already yielding positive results. Just this week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it had replaced the controversial CBP One app with a new CBP Home app that helps facilitate self-deportations.

“After four years of not being allowed to effectively do their jobs, our agents and officers are excited to get to work and fulfill the agency’s mission,” Lyons said.

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests since President Donald J. Trump took office are already outpacing arrests made in all of 2024, the agency said Wednesday—and the Biden government had been "cooking the books" to produce its numbers. "We have uncovered that the previous administration… was cooking the books on ICE data," acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told reporters. "They were purposely misleading the American people by categorizing individuals processed and released into the interior of the United States as ICE arrests." show more
March 10, 2025
William Upton
Corruption
Immigration

Rep. Brandon Gill Exposes Chicago Mayor’s Massive Luxury Gift Haul.

Chicago’s far-left, illegal immigrant protecting Mayor Brandon Johnson is now publicly disclosing the numerous luxury gifts his office has received from undisclosed benefactors after being pressed on the matter by Congressman Brandon Gill (R-TX) during a House hearing last week on Capitol Hill. Johnson, who is facing mounting criticism from Chicago residents who contend he puts the needs of illegal immigrants over their own, granted ABC7 Chicago access to the gift room in City Hall where the luxury items are housed.

Among the items Mayor Johnson has received—as his city has spent nearly $700 million since 2022 providing benefits for over 50,000 illegal immigrants—are HUGO BOSS cufflinks, a Montblanc pen, designer women’s handbags, including Kate Spade, autographed sports paraphernalia, and personalized artwork featuring Johnson. The lack of transparency and public access to the gifts and the room in which they’re stored has drawn scrutiny from local officials as well, including the City of Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg.

“On June 12, 2023, you received HUGO BOSS cufflinks and a personalized Montblanc pen. Do you know who gave you those?” Congressman Gill pressed the Chicago Mayor during last week’s hearing. In response, Mayor Johnson insisted he had received the items on behalf of his city. However, as Inspector General Witzburg contends, the gifts were not publicly accessible, raising ethical concerns about whether they were treated as personal items.

According to Congressman Gill, the Chicago Mayor’s office claims the gifts will now be donated to charity. However, the Texas Republican, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), raises the concern that some of the items could have been kickbacks for lucrative city contracts pertaining to housing and feeding Chicago’s illegal immigrant population. Congressman Gill notes he will soon introduce legislation to end sanctuary city laws.

READ:

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Chicago's far-left, illegal immigrant protecting Mayor Brandon Johnson is now publicly disclosing the numerous luxury gifts his office has received from undisclosed benefactors after being pressed on the matter by Congressman Brandon Gill (R-TX) during a House hearing last week on Capitol Hill. Johnson, who is facing mounting criticism from Chicago residents who contend he puts the needs of illegal immigrants over their own, granted ABC7 Chicago access to the gift room in City Hall where the luxury items are housed. show more
March 4, 2025
Immigration

NYC Eases ID Card Rules for Illegal Aliens Despite Mayor Adams’s Pledge to Support Trump’s Deportations.

In an effort spearheaded by Mayor Eric Adams, New York City has expanded the types of documentation that can be used to apply for its municipal residency ID card, IDNYC. The new rules increase the variety of documents that immigrants, including those without legal status, can present to prove city residency.

The program is intended to assist individuals in accessing services such as housing and healthcare. The change permits the use of 23 additional forms of identification, including expired driver’s licenses and prior documents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Bureau of Prisons.

First introduced in 2015 under the Bill de Blasio administration, IDNYC was designed to provide all New Yorkers, from age 10 onwards, with identification that facilitates better access to city services. Access to IDNYC has been expanded as a response to the ongoing migrant influx, with over 1.7 million cards issued since its inception.

However, the IDNYC program has faced ongoing criticism from the public and federal lawmakers like Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), who argues that it undermines federal immigration law and presents security concerns. Critics express apprehension about the absence of thorough vetting processes and the potential destruction of documentation that could aid investigations.

City officials plan to hold a public hearing on March 28 to address any adjustments needed for the ID program.

Image by Anthony Quintano.

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In an effort spearheaded by Mayor Eric Adams, New York City has expanded the types of documentation that can be used to apply for its municipal residency ID card, IDNYC. The new rules increase the variety of documents that immigrants, including those without legal status, can present to prove city residency. show more
March 3, 2025
News

Guatemalan Smugglers Arrested for Trafficking 20,000 Migrants.

Two men alleged to be central figures in a large-scale human smuggling operation have been apprehended in Los Angeles, California, as confirmed by federal prosecutors on Monday. Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul, also known as “Turko,” alongside his associate Cristobal Mejia-Chaj, is facing multiple charges related to the smuggling of migrants into the United States. Both individuals have pleaded not guilty to these accusations.

Court records reveal that Renoj-Matul is identified as the leader of the smuggling organization, which has been active for over a decade. The group is suspected of facilitating the unlawful entry of approximately 20,000 individuals from Guatemala into the U.S. over the past five years alone.

Following their appearance in court, a federal judge has determined that Renoj-Matul and Mejia-Chaj, both residing in the country without legal status, will remain in custody without the possibility of bail. These detention measures will remain in place as they await trial, which is set to begin in April.

This development highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to dismantle smuggling networks that aid in the unlawful movement of migrants across borders for profit. According to officials, these operations not only violate immigration laws but also often subject migrants to dangerous travel conditions and exploitative situations.

The arrests of Renoj-Matul and Mejia-Chaj are part of broader crackdowns on international smuggling rings. Authorities continue to investigate further connections and operations associated with the accused individuals.

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Two men alleged to be central figures in a large-scale human smuggling operation have been apprehended in Los Angeles, California, as confirmed by federal prosecutors on Monday. Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul, also known as "Turko," alongside his associate Cristobal Mejia-Chaj, is facing multiple charges related to the smuggling of migrants into the United States. Both individuals have pleaded not guilty to these accusations. show more
March 3, 2025
Wake Up Right
Immigration

Lowest Border Numbers in Recorded History.

President Donald J. Trump took a much-deserved victory lap over the weekend after illegal border crossings dropped to their lowest number on record in February, the first full month of his second term in office.

The details: Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released figures for February 2025 showing just 8,326 people tried to illegally cross the southern border.

Back up: Under Joe Biden, border apprehensions peaked in September 2023 at 269,735—8,991 per day.

Yes, you read that right. Under Joe Biden, we had more illegals coming to the country in a single day than Trump had in the entire month of February.

Trump reacts: The 47th president wrote on Truth Social: “The Invasion of our Country is OVER… Anyone who tries to illegally enter the U.S.A. will face significant criminal penalties and immediate deportation.”

The Trump effect: Droves of would-be illegal aliens are reportedly turning around and going home after learning of dramatically ramped-up border enforcement and the canceling of generous government handouts.

Deportations: Between January 21 and February 27, the Trump administration removed 55,000 illegal aliens from the U.S, according to DHS.

Debunking a Democrat talking point: The left claims deportations were lower under Trump, which is technically true — there were 67,700 removals per month in 2024. But here’s the catch:

  • Under Biden, most “removals” were just turning people away at the border, not ICE deportations from within the U.S.
  • Biden saw 200,000 illegal crossings per month—Trump had just 8,000.
  • With fewer illegal crossings under Trump, there were simply fewer people to remove.

Big picture: It took Trump one month to solve a problem that Joe Biden and Democrats refused to address in four years.

Be sure to subscribe to the Wake Up Right newsletter! 

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President Donald J. Trump took a much-deserved victory lap over the weekend after illegal border crossings dropped to their lowest number on record in February, the first full month of his second term in office. show more
February 28, 2025
Immigration

Trump Administration Surpasses 50,000 Migrant Removals, Targets Fugitives.

The Trump administration has removed over 50,000 illegal immigrants so far, according to officials with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A number of those deported are long-standing fugitives who have avoided removal proceedings, in some instances for decades.

Ivan Oramas, 61, and Santos Maradiaga-Villalta, 40, both of whom had standing deportation orders dating back more than 20 years, are among those who have been detained and removed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Oramas, a Cuban national, was ordered deported in October 2003. He has convictions for sexual battery and aggravated assault, with the sexual battery charge involving severe injury. ICE agents in Houston apprehended him this week.

Meanwhile, Maradiaga-Villalta, from Honduras, was arrested in Phoenix. His deportation order was issued in January 2006, and he has previous convictions for smuggling aliens into the United States.

Notably, of the 50,000 illegal immigrants apprehended since President Donald J. Trump‘s inauguration on January 20, 2025, around 20,000 are said to be fugitives who have standing deportation orders. In the final year of the previous Biden government, at large illegal immigrant arrests totalled just 33,000 for the entire year.

DHS also notes that border encounters have plummeted from around 15,000 per day under Biden to just 200 under President Trump. The current rate of daily encounters is at a 15-year-low.

In his first week in office, President Trump surged resources—including military personnel—to the U.S. southern border to prevent continued illegal crossings. The measures have helped drastically reduce the number of illegal immigrants attempting to enter the country unlawfully.

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The Trump administration has removed over 50,000 illegal immigrants so far, according to officials with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A number of those deported are long-standing fugitives who have avoided removal proceedings, in some instances for decades. show more
February 28, 2025
Health
Immigration

Blue State Under Investigation for $1.6 Billion Healthcare Scheme for Illegals.

A state audit has found that Governor J.B. Pritzker’s (D-IL) administration in Illinois has significantly underestimated the cost of providing health care to illegals in the state. The report, released by Auditor General Frank Mautino’s office, states that since 2020, these programs have cost Illinois over $1.6 billion.

The audit was conducted following a directive from the Legislative Audit Commission in 2023. Initial estimates for the program covering seniors over 65 were $224 million across three fiscal years. However, the actual expenditure reached $412.3 million, an overrun of 84 percent.

The costs for adults aged 55 to 64 soared to $223.1 million, exceeding the projected $58.4 million by 282 percent. Similarly, for those aged 42 to 54, the cost reached $262.2 million, up from an estimated $68 million.

The expected enrollment for seniors was 6,700, yet the actual number was 15,831 for the fiscal year 2023. Adults aged 42 to 54 were projected to enroll at 18,800, but 36,912 were enrolled. The 55- to 64-year-old age group saw actual numbers at 17,024 compared to an estimated 8,000.

Auditors discovered that 6,098 individuals listed as “undocumented” had Social Security numbers, and 668 people enrolled in the program for seniors were under 65.

Illinois House Republican leader Tony McCombie argued for an immediate program shutdown to relieve taxpayers. Senate Republican leader John Curran criticized the misuse of funds on ineligible recipients.

Last year, it was revealed that Democrat lawmakers in the state were forced to cut healthcare pledges due to the skyrocketing costs of funding healthcare for illegals.

Image by World Economic Forum / Benedikt von Loebell.

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A state audit has found that Governor J.B. Pritzker’s (D-IL) administration in Illinois has significantly underestimated the cost of providing health care to illegals in the state. The report, released by Auditor General Frank Mautino's office, states that since 2020, these programs have cost Illinois over $1.6 billion. show more
Migrant Crime
February 28, 2025
Immigration

ICE Opens First New Detention Center Under Trump, in Blue State Sanctuary City.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently declared that the Delaney Hall facility in Newark, New Jersey, will soon reopen. This processing and detention center, which can hold up to 1,000 individuals, will be the first new facility to open under President Donald J. Trump’s second administration, according to acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello.

The strategically located facility, near an international airport in a Democrat-run sanctuary city, is intended to accelerate the processing and deportation of illegal aliens. The reopening is part of a broader effort to enhance ICE’s capabilities in the Northeast, addressing the increasing demands of enforcement actions in the region.

Interior ICE arrests have surged compared to the Biden-Harris government. Between January 20 and February 8, 2025, ICE made 11,791 arrests, compared to 4,969 arrests in the equivalent period in 2024—a 137 percent increase. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem reports that more than 20,000 illegals have been detained within a single month under the present administration.

Recent policy shifts have removed many restrictions previously placed on ICE. Additionally, the administration is negotiating with other countries to accept deportees and bolster their border security. Guatemala has agreed to take deportees from third countries, and El Salvador has agreed to host foreign criminals—and potentially some U.S. citizens—in its CECOT super-prison.

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently declared that the Delaney Hall facility in Newark, New Jersey, will soon reopen. This processing and detention center, which can hold up to 1,000 individuals, will be the first new facility to open under President Donald J. Trump's second administration, according to acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello. show more