Category: US Department of Homeland Security

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

For decades, TPS has been abused as a de facto amnesty program to allow unvetted aliens to remain in U.S. indefinitely

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement after a federal judge in California postponed the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua, wrongly finding the cancellation was rooted in “racial animus.”

In a judicial ruling that sounds like a New York Times opinion piece, activist Judge Trina Thompson—a Biden appointee—wrote that Secretary Kristi Noem is telling the 60,000 aliens on TPS to “atone for their race, leave because of their names, and purify their blood.” She even likened terminating TPS to the Atlantic slave trade because “the United States has a long history of transporting individuals against their will, to places unfamiliar with them.”

Judge Thompson’s editorializing is not only disgusting but also ignores the plain meaning of federal law. TPS was always intended to be temporary. Both Nicaraguan and Honduran TPS have been in place for over 20 years following natural disasters. Since then, the countries have made tremendous strides to recover, and as a result, it is safe for their nationals to return home.

“Restoring integrity to our immigration system to keep our homeland and its people safe. That is all we—and the American people who elected President Trump in a landslide election—seek,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “TPS was never meant to be a de facto asylum system, yet that is how previous administrations have used it for decades. This is yet another example of how out of control judges are race-baiting to distract from the facts and President’s constitutionally vested powers under Article II. We will appeal, and we expect a higher court to vindicate us.”

For decades, TPS has been abused as a de facto amnesty program to allow unvetted aliens to remain in U.S. indefinitely. Too often these programs have been exploited to allow criminal aliens to come to our country and terrorize American citizens. When child abusers and other violent criminals can hide behind a humanitarian designation, the system is broken. President Trump and Secretary Noem are restoring common sense to our immigration system and returning TPS to its original status: TEMPORARY.

Below are some examples of criminal aliens who exploited the TPS program:

• Angel Ponce, a criminal alien from Honduras, convicted of aggravated assault and the offense of possessing, selling, or manufacturing a dangerous weapon. 

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• Jose Zelaya Andrades, a criminal alien from Honduras, convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. 

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• Getsel Enrique Gonzalez Ocampo, a criminal alien from Honduras, convicted of assault on a female (domestic violence) and resisting a public officer. 

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• Jose Amilcar Funez, a criminal alien from Honduras, convicted of assault in the second degree and sex offense against child – fondling. 

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• Juan Erazmo Ferrufino, a criminal alien from Honduras, convicted of domestic violence, several public intoxications. 

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the availability of over $100 million in cybersecurity grant funding to strengthen community cybersecurity.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity is made up of two separate grants: Fiscal Year 2025 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) and the Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program (TCGP). The SLCGP makes $91.7 million available to state and local governments for a range of cybersecurity improvements, including planning and exercises, hiring experts in the community, and improving services for their citizens. The TCGP provides $12.1 million to tribal governments for similar uses.

“This grant funding ensures communities and our partners across the nation have the crucial resources needed to strengthen their cyber defense capabilities and mitigate risk,” said CISA Acting Director Madhu Gottumukkala. “CISA is proud to empower state, local, and tribal governments to build more resilient cyber ecosystems. This unified DHS approach enables innovative solutions that strengthen digital infrastructure, and helps communities invest in meaningful cybersecurity improvements to protect the critical services they provide. This is another example of investing in our communities while being good stewards of our taxpayer dollars.”

The grants will play a critical role in enhancing cybersecurity resilience by providing resources to strengthen network security and reduce cyber risks. For more information and application resources, visit https://www.cisa.gov/cybergrants.

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About CISA 

As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram.

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Monthly Southwest Border Apprehensions Drop Below Daily Average Under Biden Administration

WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that for the third time this year, it has once again set record lows for nationwide encounters and lowest single day apprehensions.

Preliminary data from July 2025 confirms that illegal crossings have collapsed to all-time lows. Apprehensions along the Southwest border for the entire month of July were lower than the daily average under the Biden administration.  This is also the third consecutive month with zero USBP releases into the interior. 

Preliminary Records Set in July:  

•  Lowest Nationwide Encounters Ever: 24,630—down 2.4% from June and nearly 90% lower than the monthly average under the last administration.
• Lowest Border Patrol Apprehensions Nationwide: 6,177—shattering June’s all-time low.      
• Lowest Southwest Border Apprehensions: 4,598 nearly 500 than the daily average under the last administration, which averaged 5,110 apprehensions per day from Feb 2021–Dec 2024.
• Lowest Daily Apprehension Average: Just 148 per day—that’s lower than the average rate of 152 apprehensions every two hours under Biden last July.    
• Lowest Single-Day Apprehensions in History: 88 at the Southwest Border, 116 nationwide on July 20. 

“History made, again. The numbers don’t lie—this is the most secure the border has ever been,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “President Trump didn’t manage just the crisis—he obliterated it. No more excuses. No more releases. We’ve put the cartels on defense and taken our border back.”

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

ICE previously deported this criminal illegal alien in 2011

WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an arrest detainer with the Harris County Jail on Jose Maldonado-Zavala, a 60-year-old previously deported illegal alien from Honduras, following his arrest for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman in his apartment complex in Houston, TX. 

According to arrest records, on July 2, Maldonado-Zavala falsely claimed the victims air conditioner was leaking into his apartment. He then forcibly grabbed her arm and dragged her into his residence against her will and sexually assaulted her. The victim fought off her assailant and managed to escape. She was assisted by a passing friend in a car who drove her to safety. 

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“This depraved criminal illegal alien should have never been in our country,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Local police charged Maldonado-Zavala with kidnapping and sexually assaulting his neighbor. We will not allow criminal illegal aliens to prey on American citizens.  This monster was already deported once in 2011.  Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem, we now have the most secure border in history and have stopped criminals like this from invading our country.” 

Maldonado-Zavala was first deported to Honduras in 2011 after illegally entering the U.S. near Hidalgo, Texas. He illegally entered again at an unknown date and location, and without inspection by an immigration official. 

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, criminals are no longer welcome in the United States

WASHINGTON — On July 29, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Boston arrested and lodged detainers against six criminal illegal aliens from Romania who were part of a criminal burglary ring in Massachusetts.

According to local reports, on July 25, the Norwood Police Department arrested six women during a high-profile break-in. Authorities now think the women are part of a criminal enterprise operating across multiple states.

The suspects are facing multiple charges, including breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony, conspiracy, possession of burglarious instruments, and resisting arrest. Police confirmed several had active warrants from other states for similar crimes.

After Norwood police made the arrests, ICE acted and immediately lodged detainers to ensure these individuals would not be released back into American neighborhoods.

“This burglary ring will no longer be able to victimize American citizens,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “These criminal illegal aliens should have never should have been allowed to walk free on Massachusetts streets to steal from Americans—And under President Trump and Secretary Noem, they won’t.”

Arrested by ICE Boston in Dedham, Massachusetts:

• Mihaela Ion, a criminal illegal alien from Romania, whose criminal history includes conspiracy to commit breaking and entering.

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• Mirabela Caldararu, a criminal illegal alien from Romania, whose criminal history includes conspiracy to commit breaking and entering.

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• Flavia Gabriela Caldararu, a criminal illegal alien from Romania, whose criminal history includes conspiracy to commit breaking and entering and failure to stop for police.

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Detainers lodged against individuals currently in local police custody:

• Jajela Chiciu, a criminal illegal alien from Romania, whose criminal history includes multiple thefts and charged with conspiracy, with four known offenses involving stolen property under $1,500.

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• Emilia Sardaru, a criminal illegal alien from Romania, whose criminal history includes conspiracy charges in the United States.

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• Elizabeth Sardaru, a criminal illegal alien from Romania, whose criminal history includes first degree burglary, conspiracy, receiving known stolen property, burglary, and grand theft across multiple jurisdictions.

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

The Secretary’s visit deepened law enforcement cooperation and highlighted reforms to make lawful travel and trade safer and more efficient

QUITO, ECUADOR – Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem met with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld, and Interior Minister John Reimberg to discuss efforts to strengthen regional security, enhance law international enforcement cooperation, and restrict illegal migration.

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U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem holds a press conference with Interior Minister John Reimberg

Secretary Noem and Minister Reimberg also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a law enforcement officer liaison exchange program between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the National Police Department of Ecuador. This program will embed an Ecuadorian law enforcement liaison within CBP’s National Targeting Center (NTC), with the mission of interdicting dangerous travelers – including terrorists and illicit cargo.  

“In the war against drugs and crime, information is our strongest weapon,” said Secretary Kristi Noem upon signing the document. “The National Targeting Center works nonstop to catch dangerous individuals, terrorists, and gang members attempting to travel to the United States. By implementing this liaison program, we deepen information sharing between our governments, making it easier to identify, track down, and interdict threats to both of our countries.”

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Secretary Noem and Minister Reimberg sign the memorandum of understanding establishing a law enforcement exchange program between the United States and Ecuador

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Other worst of the worst criminals arrested yesterday include child pedophiles, rapists, and drug traffickers 

WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Yehia Elham Badawi, a 48-year-old criminal illegal alien from Egypt with an extensive rap sheet including robbery, aggravated assault, and multiple violent felonies stemming from a 1994 shootout that left a Philadelphia police officer seriously wounded. This criminal illegal alien was featured on America’s Most Wanted in 1996.  

According to reports, Badawi was wanted in connection with a violent armed robbery at a Philadelphia supermarket where he and an accomplice, both armed with rifles and wearing masks, fled the scene on bicycles, triggering a chase. During the pursuit, a police officer was shot and seriously injured. One assailant was shot and captured at the scene. Badawi fled the state and was later arrested in Salt Lake City, Utah.  

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On July 30, 2025, Badawi was taken into custody by ICE Philadelphia. Badawi’s extensive list of convictions includes: 

• Criminal attempt
• Criminal conspiracy 
• Possession of an instrument with criminal intent
• Simple assault
• Aggravated assault 
• Recklessly endangering another person 
• Robbery 
• Theft by unlawful taking
• Receiving stolen property

“Thanks to the brave men and women of ICE, under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, one of America’s Most Wanted is finally off American streets,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “DHS is unapologetically cracking down on criminal illegal aliens who think they can hide. They can’t. We WILL find them. America is no longer a safe haven for the world’s criminals.”  

Other Notable Arrests:

• Juan Ocana-Sanchez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of lewd acts with a child under 14 in Vista, CA.

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• Ivan Perez-Puac, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Austin, TX.

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• Tamio Domnick, a criminal illegal alien from the Marshall Islands, convicted of sexual assault in Washington County, AR.

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• Fernando Aranda-Esparza, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of sale of cocaine in Greenville County, SC.

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Join ICE law enforcement today to help DHS remove murderers, pedophiles, gang members, and other violent criminal illegal aliens. For more information or to apply, visit: www.ice.gov/careers

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Anti-malware tool Thorium makes it easier for users to combat evolving threats, another breakthrough tool from CISA

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

This serial criminal entered the U.S. illegally and was released into the country under the Biden Administration

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released additional information on Nicol Alexandra Contreras-Suarez, a transgender criminal illegal alien from Colombia who is charged with the rape of a minor and stalking in New York. Contreras-Suarez had a preliminary criminal hearing in New York City this week. His next court hearing before the New York Supreme Court is scheduled for September 10, 2025. 

Contreras-Suarez, a biological male that presents as a woman, is scheduled to appear before a criminal court judge for charges of first-degree rape of a child less than 17 and stalking. 

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This horrific and preventable crime illustrates the consequences of the Biden administration’s catch and release and sanctuary policies.  

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrested Contreras-Suarez for illegally entering the United States in San Ysidro, California in March of 2023 and released him into the country. This criminal illegal alien then went on to commit heinous crimes in American communities.  

Contreras-Suarez was arrested by Medford Police Department in Massachusetts for armed robbery, prostitution, and assault with a dangerous weapon. Due to local sanctuary policies, this criminal illegal alien was then released to terrorize more Americans.  

“This creep should’ve never been released into our country,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Thanks to the failed sanctuary policies and Biden’s open-border agenda, this serial criminal was freed to prey on innocent American children – but that ends now. ICE will not allow predators like Contreras-Suarez to terrorize American citizens.”  

ICE lodged an immigration detainer with Manhattan Central Booking on February 13, 2025. Contreras-Suarez remains in custody at Rikers Island in New York until his next court hearing. 

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

In May, only 13 crossings were recorded—June dropped further to just 10

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced migrant crossings at the Darien Gap have dropped 99.98% for the months of May and June 2025 compared to a peak under the Biden Administration in August 2023.  

Under the Biden Administration, crossings in a single month exceeded 82,000. In May 2025, there were only 13 crossings and the number fell again in June 2025 to just 10. This is a massive decline in illegal migration through one of the key channels normally utilized by would-be illegal aliens to invade our country.  

“The dangerous Darien Gap trek is notorious for exposing migrants, including children and the most vulnerable, to sexual abuse, trafficking, and exploitation,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “In Panama’s Darien Gap, migrants are now turning BACK before they even reach our border— only 10 migrants crossed in June. This is more than a 99.98% drop from the Biden high when 82,000 illegal aliens crossed in a single month. The world is hearing our message that America’s borders are closed to lawbreakers. Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem, we have the most secure border in American history.” 

With the most secure border in American history, DHS is focused on deporting those who break our nation’s laws. If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home App to take control of your departure and receive financial support to return home. Illegal aliens who use the CBP Home App to self-deport also receive cost-free travel and a $1,000 exit bonus, paid after their return is confirmed through the app. 

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