The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona filed immigration-related criminal charges against 314 individuals during a week-long enforcement operation from May 17 to May 23, 2025. Of these, 117 cases involved aliens illegally re-entering the United States, and 176 involved aliens illegally entering the United States. Additionally, 20 cases were filed against 21 individuals for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona. These cases were supported by federal law enforcement partners, including ICE ERO, ICE HSI, U.S. Border Patrol, DEA, FBI, USMS, and ATF.
Recent cases include United States v. Angel Said Ojeda-Figueroa, where Ojeda-Figueroa was charged with transportation of aliens for profit after a vehicle stop. In United States v. Tomas Ortiz-Lopez, Ortiz-Lopez was charged with re-entry of a removed alien. Gabriel Jimenez-Diaz was charged with transportation of aliens for profit after attempting to evade Border Patrol Agents in United States v. Gabriel Jimenez-Diaz. Juan Carlos Carmona-Maya was charged with re-entry of a removed alien in United States v. Juan Carlos Carmona-Maya. Luis Fernando Ibarra, Jr. was charged with transportation of aliens for profit after attempting to transport individuals near the border in Nogales, Arizona, in United States v. Luis Fernando Ibarra, Jr.
A criminal complaint is a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative using the Department of Justice's resources to combat illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).