In Houston, Texas, the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) of ICE has recently placed detainers on two Mexican nationals arrested on charges of intoxication manslaughter. This action comes as ICE Houston concludes a year focused on stringent enforcement against criminal illegal aliens with multiple drunk-driving offenses.
“Tomorrow, at least 23 families will face a new day without their loved ones,” remarked Acting Field Office Director Gabriel Martinez. He described the situation as both “reckless and tragic.”
ICE representatives shared with the media that since President Donald Trump commenced his second term over a year ago, ERO officers in Houston have apprehended 243 criminal aliens, all of whom have been convicted of three or more DWI offenses. Among these individuals, 21 had been found guilty by a Texas court of intoxication manslaughter.
ICE Launches Intensive Crackdown Targeting Houston High-Crime Areas (Bob Price/ – Texas)
“These criminal illegal aliens have not only breached our national laws to enter the country unlawfully but have also endangered the lives of innocent Americans by driving under the influence,” Martinez emphasized.
Recently, in Houston, ICE ERO officers issued immigration detainers for Enrique Acevedo Barocio, a 27-year-old Mexican national, on February 2, alongside Manuel Neri Mendoza, a 37-year-old Mexican national with two previous DWI convictions who had been deported before. Both were arrested in Harris County on charges related to intoxication manslaughter.
According to ICE officials, Mendoza allegedly tried to escape the scene of an accident, leaving a 3-year-old child alone in a damaged vehicle with their deceased mother.
Martinez explained that Mendoza’s attempt to flee after a DWI crash is not unique. ICE Houston arrested nearly 100 criminal aliens during the past year who fled the scene of an accident and were charged and convicted for failure to stop and render aid.
“It has become extremely common for criminal illegal aliens to flee from ICE and other law enforcement,” said Martinez. “This is a direct result of elected officials demonizing our officers and encouraging aliens to evade arrest.”
An alleged drunk driver and passenger will be removed from the U.S. after an ICE nighttime operation. (Bob Price/ – Texas)
In October, – Texas rode with Houston ERO officers as they carried out their first-ever nighttime targeted enforcement operation. Approximately 25 illegal aliens were arrested during the operation, which had to conclude early due to torrential rains in the targeted areas of operation. One of those arrested was an illegal alien who was driving under the influence.
Beer cans spilled onto the driveway as officers arrested the illegal alien who appeared to be highly intoxicated.
According to ERO officials, the criminal illegal aliens arrested by ICE Houston last year with prior convictions for intoxicated manslaughter or three or more DWIs included:
Samuel Valenzuela-Martinez, a 55-year-old, five-time deported criminal illegal alien from Mexico with three prior convictions for DWI and one for hit-and-run, was arrested by ICE on July 7, 2025. Valenzuela-Martinez has also been convicted twice for aggravated assault and illegal entry, and once for fraud, larceny, cruelty toward a child, obstructing a criminal investigation, escape and felony illegal reentry. ICE removed Valenzuela-Martinez to Mexico on July 9, 2025.
Jose Jaudencio Coj Pocop, a 32-year-old criminal illegal alien from Guatemala with prior convictions for intoxicated manslaughter, DWI, hit-and-run and assault, was arrested by ICE on Aug. 24, 2025. ICE removed Coj Pocop to Guatemala on Sept. 4, 2025.
Leticia Caballero Guadarrama, a 54-year-old, six-time removed criminal illegal alien from Mexico with six DWI convictions, was arrested by ICE on March 12, 2025. Caballero has also been convicted six times for theft, and twice for refusing to provide ID to law enforcement. ICE removed Caballero to Mexico on March 13, 2025.
Leticia Caballero Guadarrama, a 54-year-old, six-time removed criminal illegal alien from Mexico with six DWI convictions, was arrested by ICE on March 12, 2025. Caballero has also been convicted six times for theft, and twice for refusing to provide ID to law enforcement. ICE removed Caballero to Mexico on March 13, 2025.
Humberto Romero Avila, a 46-year-old, five-time removed criminal illegal alien from Mexico who has been convicted five times for DWI, was arrested by ICE on Jan. 31, 2025. Avila has also been convicted of larceny, illegal reentry and illegal entry, and was deported to Mexico by ICE on Feb. 13, 2025. He was turned over to Mexican authorities to be prosecuted for homicide.
Ramiro Castillo Juarez, a 38-year-old, three-time removed criminal illegal alien from Mexico who was previously convicted of intoxicated manslaughter, was arrested by ICE on July 3, 2025. ICE removed Castillo to Mexico on July 7, 2025.
Victor Manuel Carrillo-Arreazola, a 43-year-old, 12-time removed criminal illegal alien from Mexico who has been convicted of intoxicated manslaughter and illegal entry, was arrested by ICE on Aug. 4, 2025. ICE removed Carrillo-Arreazola to Mexico on Aug. 8, 2025.
Mario Salinas-Garza, a 49-year-old, 10-time removed criminal illegal alien from Mexico who has been convicted of four DWIs, was arrested by ICE on June 20, 2025. Salinas-Garza has also been convicted 10 times for drug possession, seven times for illegal reentry, twice for burglary and vehicle theft, and once for public order crimes. ICE removed Salinas-Garica to Mexico on June 23, 2025.
Jose Ibarra Manuel Gamez, a 43-year-old, six-time deported criminal illegal alien from Mexico who has been convicted of four DWIs, twice for illegal entry and once for hit-and-run, was arrested by ICE on Aug. 20, 2025. ICE removed Gamez to Mexico on Aug. 23, 2025.
Jose Luis Mondragon-Mercado, a 33-year-old, four-time deported criminal illegal alien from Mexico who has been convicted of three DWIs, was arrested by ICE on July 3, 2025. Mondragon-Mercado has also been convicted four times for burglary, three times for illegal reentry, twice for refusing to aid an officer, and once for obstruction. ICE removed Mondragon-Mercado to Mexico on July 7, 2025.
Gerardo Abel Galvan, a 46-year-old, four-time deported criminal illegal alien from Mexico who has been convicted of eight DWIs, was arrested by ICE on June 26, 2025. Galvan has also been convicted three times for fraud; twice each for illegal reentry, fleeing from officers, resisting arrest and aggravated assault; and once for larceny and public order crimes. ICE removed Galvan to Mexico on June 28, 2025.
Despite the ongoing challenges, ICE officials say the latest arrests underscore the agency’s commitment to removing repeat offenders who continue to endanger Texas communities. Houston ERO officers maintain that the growing number of criminal illegal aliens with multiple DWI convictions reflects a persistent threat on the region’s roadways—one they argue can only be addressed through sustained enforcement and cooperation from local authorities.
As the new cases move forward in Harris County, ICE leaders insist their focus remains on preventing further tragedies and ensuring that those who repeatedly violate U.S. laws are held accountable.
Bob Price is the – Texas-Border team’s associate editor and senior news contributor. He is an original member of the – Texas team. Price is a regular panelist on Fox 26 Houston’s What’s Your Point? Sunday morning talk show. He also serves as president of Blue Wonder Gun Care Products.
