LOS ANGELES — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a high-profile raid on June 8 in Los Angeles, a city known as one of the nation’s most ardent sanctuary jurisdictions. The operation resulted in the arrests of several convicted criminal illegal aliens described by officials as the “worst of the worst.”
Despite ongoing protests and violent riots opposing federal immigration enforcement — supported by California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass — ICE agents continued to apprehend dangerous criminals. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned local leaders for prioritizing the protection of violent offenders over the safety of residents.
“These heinous criminals, including child abusers and pedophiles, were arrested yesterday in Los Angeles,” McLaughlin said. “Why do Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass care more about violent criminal illegal aliens than about protecting their own citizens? Rioters in Los Angeles are fighting to keep rapists, murderers, and other violent criminals free on the streets. Instead, they should be thanking ICE officers who risk their lives every day to keep communities safe.”
Among those arrested were Eswin Uriel Castro, a previously deported illegal alien with convictions for child molestation, robbery, domestic violence, and possession of a deadly weapon. Rafael Gamez-Sanchez, convicted of vehicular manslaughter, was also taken into custody.
Anastacio Enrique Solis-Salinas, from Nicaragua, faces charges including child cruelty, domestic violence, and hit-and-run convictions. Miguel Angel Palafox-Montes, a Mexican national who has self-deported twice, was arrested on charges including grand theft, narcotics violations, identity theft, battery, and burglary.
Additionally, Russian national Dzhakhar Aslambekov was arrested for fraudulently using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to access government welfare programs.
The arrests underscore the federal government’s continued efforts to enforce immigration laws amid local resistance in sanctuary cities.
