The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico released its weekly immigration and border crime enforcement statistics Friday, outlining a significant number of federal charges filed over the past week as part of ongoing border security operations in the state.
According to the report, in the one-week period ending February 27, 2026, federal prosecutors in New Mexico filed criminal charges against more than 220 individuals for immigration-related offenses. These prosecutions were carried out in coordination with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, and other federal, state, and county law enforcement agencies.
The breakdown of charges includes:
- 72 individuals charged with Illegal Reentry After Deportation under 8 U.S.C. § 1326.
- 10 individuals charged with Alien Smuggling under 8 U.S.C. § 1324.
- 61 individuals charged with Illegal Entry under 8 U.S.C. § 1325.
- 80 individuals charged with Illegal Entry, violation of a military security regulation (50 U.S.C. § 797), and Entering Military, Naval, or Coast Guard Property (18 U.S.C. § 1382). These cases stem from incidents occurring within the newly designated National Defense Area in New Mexico.
Federal officials noted that many of the defendants charged with illegal reentry had prior criminal convictions. Those prior offenses included fleeing the scene of an accident involving death or serious bodily injury, illegal firearm possession by a noncitizen, and prior immigration violations.
One case highlighted in this week’s report involved Jose Cuyuch De Paz, who was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol agents near 505 McNutt Road in Sunland Park after allegedly entering the United States unlawfully on foot. Authorities state that when agents attempted to detain him, De Paz fled into a residential neighborhood, scaling fences and running through backyards. A pursuing agent followed footprints before a fence gave way during the chase, causing both the agent and the suspect to fall. Prosecutors allege that De Paz kicked the agent multiple times during the struggle. A second agent arrived to assist, and De Paz was subdued and arrested. He now faces charges of illegal reentry and assault on a federal officer. Court filings indicate he has denied striking or kicking the agent.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that protecting law enforcement personnel remains a central priority in border enforcement efforts. So far in Fiscal Year 2026, 18 El Paso Sector Border Patrol agents have been assaulted. That follows 88 reported assaults during Fiscal Year 2025. Federal authorities stated that U.S. Border Patrol is working closely with the FBI and federal prosecutors to pursue charges in assault cases in order to deter violence against officers operating along the border.
These prosecutions are part of a broader federal enforcement initiative known as Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice effort aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and targeting violent crime.
Under President Donald Trump’s administration, federal officials have identified border security and public safety as top priorities. In New Mexico, enhanced enforcement at both the border and within the interior of the district has led to arrests of individuals accused not only of immigration violations but also of more serious offenses, including human trafficking, sexual assault, and crimes against children, according to federal authorities.
The District of New Mexico covers all 33 counties in the state and includes approximately 180 miles of international border with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys based in Albuquerque and Las Cruces handle immigration-related prosecutions in coordination with federal, state, and local partners.
Officials noted that the weekly figures reflect only criminal cases filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and do not include individuals processed through civil or administrative immigration proceedings.
Thank you, Border Patrol.
Yes!