ALBUQUERQUE — Federal prosecutors in New Mexico filed more than 160 immigration-related criminal charges in a one-week period ending May 1, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, highlighting continued enforcement activity along the state’s southern border.
The cases, announced Friday, include charges for illegal reentry, illegal entry and human smuggling, as well as a newer set of offenses tied to a recently established National Defense Area along the border. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the prosecutions were carried out in coordination with the El Paso Sector of U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso and other federal, state and local agencies.
In total, prosecutors charged 50 individuals with illegal reentry after deportation, a felony offense under federal law. Another 48 individuals were charged with misdemeanor illegal entry. Six people face charges related to alleged alien smuggling.
An additional 61 individuals were charged under a combination of statutes, including illegal entry, violations of military security regulations and unauthorized entry onto military or defense-controlled property. Authorities said those charges stem from crossings into a newly designated National Defense Area in New Mexico.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted that many individuals charged with illegal reentry had prior criminal convictions, including offenses such as aggravated robbery, burglary, narcotics trafficking, domestic violence and driving under the influence. Officials did not release names or case-specific details in the weekly summary.
“These cases are part of Operation Take Back America,” the office said in its release, describing a broader Department of Justice initiative focused on immigration enforcement and efforts to target transnational criminal organizations. The initiative aims to use federal law enforcement resources to address illegal border crossings and related criminal activity.
Federal officials emphasized that the reported figures represent only criminal prosecutions handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and do not include individuals processed through administrative immigration proceedings, which can involve deportation without criminal charges.
New Mexico shares approximately 180 miles of border with Mexico. Federal prosecutors based in Albuquerque and Las Cruces work with law enforcement agencies across the region to handle immigration-related offenses as well as other federal crimes.
The weekly report reflects ongoing enforcement priorities under current leadership, which the U.S. Attorney’s Office said are focused on border security and public safety. Officials stated that increased enforcement efforts have led to the identification of individuals involved in unlawful activity or with prior criminal histories, including cases involving human trafficking and crimes against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office regularly publishes weekly enforcement summaries as part of its effort to provide transparency into federal prosecution activity in the district.
