Trump's first NYC ICE raids snag Tren de Aragua gang leader tied to viral Colorado apartment incident



President Donald Trump's Immigration and Customs Enforcement launched its first raids in New York early Tuesday morning, resulting in the arrest of a notorious gang leader and other violent illegal alien criminals.

Police sources told the New York Post that ICE's first arrests involved individuals with warrants for crimes including burglary, menacing, kidnapping, extortion, and other violent offenses.

'We are getting the dirtbags off these streets.'

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Fox News that the early morning raids targeted "murderers, kidnappers, and individuals charged of assault and burglary."

One of the individuals apprehended by ICE was a Dominican national wanted for a double homicide in his home country.

Federal immigration agents also arrested 25-year-old Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, a Tren de Aragua ringleader tied to a viral surveillance video from August that captured armed suspected gang members storming through an Aurora, Colorado, apartment complex.

Zambrano-Pacheco was arrested by DEA agents and Department of Homeland Security officers at the apartment complex in the Bronx early Tuesday morning. He faces kidnapping, burglary, and menacing charges.

New DHS Secretary Kristi Noem joined ICE during its first New York City raids this week.

"We're here in New York City this morning. We are getting the dirtbags off these streets," she stated.

Noem posted a video on social media showing law enforcement officials arresting a "criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges."

"We are doing this right — doing exactly what President @realDonaldTrump promised the American people — making our streets safe," she wrote.

The Post reported that the New York Police Department issued an internal memo reminding officers that they may partner with federal immigration officials regarding criminal investigations but that the city's sanctuary laws prevent them from aiding in deportation efforts.

ICE reported that on January 27, it arrested 1,179 and lodged 853 detainers. The following day, it made another 969 arrests and filed 869 detainer requests.

Border czar Tom Homan has stated that ICE is prioritizing the arrest of safety threats but noted that anyone in the country illegally is "on the table" for deportation.

Homan told ABC News, "You're going to see the numbers steadily increase, the number of arrests nationwide, as we open up the aperture."

"Right now, it's concentrating on public safety threats [and] national security threats. That's a smaller population," he continued. "So we're going to do this on a priority [basis], that's President Trump's promise. But as that aperture opens, there'll be more arrests nationwide."

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Trump moves to deport 1.4 million migrants admitted under Biden's parole programs



President Donald Trump's Department of Homeland Security announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement can deport foreign nationals who were allowed into the United States under one of former President Joe Biden's parole programs.

A Thursday memo obtained by ABC News stated that migrants who have "been granted parole under a policy that may be paused, modified, or terminated" could be subject to expedited removal.

'Expands the scope of expedited removal to the statutory maximum.'

The memo, written by acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman, indicated that Trump's administration is empowering ICE to revoke the legal status of the roughly 1.4 million foreign nationals who were allowed into the country under two Biden-era parole programs: the CBP One app and the CHNV.

The CBP One app enabled 1,450 foreign nationals per day to schedule appointments at a port of entry to claim asylum. On Inauguration Day, Trump shut down the controversial mobile application, canceling any existing appointments.

The Biden administration's app permitted more than 919,000 individuals into the country since it was established in January 2023.

The CHNV program allowed 30,000 individuals per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the country with temporary legal status for two years. The program allowed 530,000 foreign nationals to enter the U.S.

Last week, a DHS spokesperson accused the Biden administration of abusing "the humanitarian parole program to indiscriminately allow 1.5 million migrants to enter our country."

"This was all stopped on day one of the Trump administration. This action will return the humanitarian parole program to its original purpose of looking at migrants on a case-by-case basis," the spokesperson added.

The DHS memo instructed ICE to review immigration cases individually to determine whether a foreign national should be placed in expedited removal or removal proceedings.

It read, "Take all steps necessary to review the alien's case and consider, in exercising your enforcement discretion, whether any such alien should be placed in removal proceedings; and review the alien's parole status to determine, in exercising your enforcement discretion, whether parole remains appropriate in light of any changed legal or factual circumstances."

Huffman explained that the memo aimed to provide "guidance regarding how to exercise enforcement discretion in implementing" policies outlined in a January 21 notice titled "Designating Aliens for Expedited Removal."

"That notice expands the scope of expedited removal to the statutory maximum," Huffman wrote.

According to the notice, the statutory maximum allows the federal government to issue expedited removals for foreign nationals who have been in the U.S. for less than two years without requiring immigration hearings.

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Illegal alien kills Border Patrol agent in Vermont moments after Trump takes office: Report



A Border Patrol agent was "fatally shot in the line of duty" on Monday near the United States-Canada border, a Department of Homeland Security press release revealed.

As the tragic event unfolded, President Donald Trump was being sworn in to office, with one of his top priorities being to secure the border and put an end to illegal immigration.

'Our hearts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and coworkers of our fallen brother in green in Vermont.'

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman stated, "Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harm's way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure. My prayers and deepest condolences are with our Department, the Agent's family, loved ones, and colleagues."

"This incident is being swiftly investigated, and DHS will release additional information as soon as it becomes available," Huffman added.

While the DHS did not reveal the agent's identity, it noted that the officer was assigned to the Swanton Sector, the most heavily trafficked northern border section.

Local reports stated that the unidentified agent was fatally shot in the neck while conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 91 in Coventry, Vermont, at around 3:15 p.m.

The investigation, which remains ongoing, has been taken over by the FBI's Albany office.

The interstate was shut down in both directions while the agency continued to "gather evidence and process the scene."

"One U.S. Border Patrol Agent was killed, along with one subject. Another subject was injured and is in custody," the FBI stated. "While there is no threat to the public, Interstate 91 will remain closed due to investigative activity."

— (@)

NewsNation's Ali Bradley reported that the suspect was an illegal immigrant who was a "visa overstay," according to sources.

"The shooter is also dead. A woman was injured in the altercation, her status and condition are not known at this time," Bradley wrote in a post on X.

On Monday evening, Bradley provided an update, stating that Customs and Border Protection sources revealed the identity of the agent as 44-year-old David Maland, who had been with the agency for nearly a decade.

She stated that Maland had reportedly recently transferred from Texas to Vermont.

The National Border Patrol Council released a statement regarding the incident.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and coworkers of our fallen brother in green in Vermont," the union wrote.

Vermont lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders (I), Senator Peter Welch (D), and Representative Becca Balint (D), released a joint statement expressing their condolences.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the agent's family, and to the Border Patrol. We will continue to monitor this situation with federal and state authorities and are appreciative of the first responders and emergency medical service providers who responded to the scene," the lawmakers wrote.

"Border Patrol agents do important work protecting our borders," their statement continued. "They deserve our full support in terms of staffing, pay, and working conditions. We look forward to working with the agency to make sure that they have all the resources they need to do the enormously important work that is their responsibility. Together, we must do everything possible to prevent future tragedies like what happened today."

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Noem Confirmation Hearing Highlights How Much DHS Rot She’ll Have To Clean Out

'This has got to be the darkest chapter, I think, in DHS’s short history,' Sen. Josh Hawley said.

Kristi Noem vows to make border 'top priority' at DHS



During her opening statement at her confirmation hearing on Friday, Kristi Noem, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to head the Department of Homeland Security, vowed to prioritize the long-neglected border crisis.

Under President Joe Biden's administration, there have been over 10 million nationwide encounters with illegal immigrants, ramping up crime and costing taxpayers billions of dollars.

'As a nation we have the right and responsibility to secure our borders against those who do us harm.'

"Being safe within our borders here in America is critical," Noem said in her opening statement. "And yet Americans feel less safe than they have felt in decades."

"President-elect Trump is going to change that," Noem added.

As Noem pointed out, the Biden administration's management of the border has left many Americans feeling unsafe. Because of the mismanagement, immigration was one of the top priorities for voters going into the 2024 election, resulting in Trump's overwhelming electoral victory on November 5.

"Border security must remain a top priority," Noem said. "As a nation we have the right and responsibility to secure our borders against those who do us harm. And we must create a fair and a lawful immigration system that is efficient and is effective and that reflects our values."

Noem also emphasized the importance of emboldening immigration agencies to ensure they have the proper resources to enforce the law.

"If confirmed as secretary, I'll ensure that our exceptional, extraordinary Border Patrol agents have all the tools and resources and support that they need to carry out their mission effectively," Noem said. "The same is true of my commitment to the outstanding men and women of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement."

"They are responsible for apprehending, detaining, and deporting illegal immigrants, and getting criminal aliens off of our streets and out of the country will help American communities to be safer again," Noem added. "The bravery and the dedication of the Border Patrol and ICE are unmatched, and I will restore dignity to their work."

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Homeland Security Targets Democrats’ Opponents Instead Of Stopping Terrorists

Expensive and comprehensive censorship tools somehow didn't flag the Facebook posts of the alleged New Orleans terrorist proclaiming his fealty to a violent death cult.

Trump On Drone Sightings: ‘The Government Knows What Is Happening’

President-elect Donald Trump declined on Monday to say whether he had been briefed on the series of drone sightings across the East Coast, but he was confident the government knows more than they are telling the public. “The government knows what is happening,” Trump told reporters in Mar-a-Lago. “Our military knows where they took off […]

Dem rep becomes first to join forces with GOP in House DOGE caucus



Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida became the first Democrat to join the bipartisan House DOGE caucus on Tuesday.

The DOGE caucus was formed after President-elect Donald Trump announced the new Department of Government Efficiency, which former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamay and tech mogul Elon Musk would be leading in the incoming administration. Although the House caucus has solely consisted of Republicans until this point, Moskowitz expressed that government efficiency "should not be a partisan issue."

'The Caucus should look at the bureaucracy that DHS has become and include recommendations to make Secret Service and FEMA independent federal agencies with a direct report to the White House.'

"Today, I will join the Congressional DOGE Caucus, because I believe that streamlining government processes and reducing ineffective government spending should not be a partisan issue," Moskowitz said in a Tuesday statement. "I've been clear that there are ways we can reorganize our government to make it work better for the American people."

Moskowitz specifically pointed to the DHS and the many federal agencies under its purview, including FEMA and the Secret Service.

"Specifically, the Department of Homeland Security, while very necessary, has gotten too big," Moskowitz continued. "The Caucus should look at the bureaucracy that DHS has become and include recommendations to make Secret Service and FEMA independent federal agencies with a direct report to the White House."

Both federal agencies have been under severe scrutiny over the last few months. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been critical of the Secret Service following the first assassination attempt against Trump back in July. FEMA also received backlash in November after reports revealed that agency officials directed employees to skip houses devastated by Hurricane Milton in Florida if they had visible pro-Trump displays and signs.

"It is not practical to have 22 agencies under this one department," Moskowitz continued. "I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues to remove FEMA and Secret Service from DHS."

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Mayorkas, Wray spark bipartisan ire for refusing to testify publicly about national security threats



Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray refused to testify publicly Thursday before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee hearing.

The annual hearing is typically attended by the heads of the DHS and the FBI, but Mayorkas and Wray decided to opt out, ending an over 15-year tradition and igniting frustration on both sides of the political aisle.

'I look forward to Director Wray's resignation.'

Their refusal to testify about national security threats is set against the backdrop of several contentious events, including a scandal involving the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the conviction of the illegal alien who murdered Laken Riley, and President Joe Biden's go-ahead for Ukraine to deploy American long-range missile systems against Russia.

Senators torched Mayorkas and Wray for denying Americans the opportunity to hear from them amid many current hot-button issues facing the country.

The Democratic chair of the committee, Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), rejected their excuse that they could testify only in a classified hearing.

"In a shocking departure from the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's longstanding tradition of transparency and oversight of the threats facing our nation, for the first time in more than 15 years, the Homeland Security Secretary and the FBI Director have refused to appear before the Committee to provide public testimony at our annual hearing on Threats to the Homeland," Peters wrote in a prepared statement.

He accused Mayorkas and Wray of dealing "a serious blow to trust in our government."

"Their claims that they can only relay such information and respond to questions in a classified setting are entirely without merit," Peters added.

He called on the two men to reconsider and participate in the public hearing.

In statements to reporters, Peters explained that the hearing traditionally includes a closed session after public testimony. He also noted that the DHS released a 40-page document on threats to the homeland, which the committee had intended to discuss.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) called their refusal to testify "unacceptable."

"The American people deserve to hold these officials accountable for their actions under the Biden Administration," Paul said.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) called for Wray to resign.

"Secretary Mayorkas and Director Wray's refusal to testify publicly today in the Senate is an outrage – and a brazen attempt to avoid oversight for the political abuses at FEMA, the FBI and more. I look forward to Director Wray's resignation," Hawley stated.

The hearing has been postponed until December.

In a statement to The Hill, the FBI said, "The FBI has repeatedly demonstrated our commitment to responding to Congressional oversight and being transparent with the American people."

"We remain committed to sharing information about the continuously evolving threat environment facing our nation and the extraordinary work the men and women of the FBI are doing — here at home and around the world — to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States," the statement continued. "FBI leaders have testified extensively in public settings about the current threat environment and believe the Committee would benefit most from further substantive discussions and additional information that can only be provided in a classified setting."

A DHS spokesperson told The Hill, "DHS and the FBI already have shared with the Committee and other Committees, and with the American public, extensive unclassified information about the current threat environment, including the recently published Homeland Threat Assessment. DHS takes seriously its obligation to respond to Congressional requests for testimony; in fact, Secretary Mayorkas has testified 30 times during his tenure."

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