Federal prosecutors in New Mexico reported a sharp uptick in immigration and border-related criminal charges this week, reflecting continued emphasis on interior enforcement and border security under the Trump administration.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, led by Ryan Ellison, federal authorities brought charges in the first two weeks of January including 85 counts of illegal reentry after deportation, 96 counts of illegal entry, 5 counts of alien smuggling, and 28 additional counts tied to illegal entry in a National Defense Area — an area recently designated under special military border security jurisdiction. Many of those charged under illegal reentry statutes had prior convictions for serious offenses such as burglary, drug possession, assault and fraud.
The prosecutions — carried out with the U.S. Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector, Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and local law enforcement — are part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at curbing illegal immigration and dismantling criminal networks at and near the border.
The weekly data, which cover only cases prosecuted by the District of New Mexico, are not inclusive of all border apprehensions or administrative removals, but they point to intensified criminal enforcement in a region that shares roughly 180 miles of the international boundary with Mexico.
Federal officials emphasized that public safety and securing the border remain top priorities under current leadership. “Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children,” the office said in its statement.
The New Mexico data align with broader national trends suggesting lower levels of undocumented migration since President Trump took office in January 2025. According to U.S. Department of Homeland Security statistics, southwest border crossings and encounters dropped significantly in fiscal year 2025, reaching levels not seen in decades, as enforcement policies tightened and border management practices changed substantially.
Nationwide apprehensions between ports of entry declined sharply year-over-year, with southwest border encounters falling to a forecasted lowest level in more than 50 years. From the start of Trump’s second term, the administration has significantly increased Border Patrol personnel and resources dedicated to interception, processing and removal. These efforts have corresponded with successive months in which Border Patrol reported minimal releases into the interior and a larger share of migrants processed for expedited removal or repatriation.
The drop in illegal crossings follows political and policy shifts aimed at reversing what critics characterized as lax enforcement under the prior administration. In contrast to catch-and-release practices that were widespread in 2023–2024, the current administration has instituted policies that aim to minimize unlawful entry and deter repeat attempts, including expanded use of expedited removal and military support in certain border zones.
Local prosecutors in New Mexico also noted the continuing involvement of military-designated National Defense Areas along the border, which allow enhanced operational flexibility for federal agents responding to incursions and criminal activity. Violations of these zones, which include prohibited entry into strategically critical contexts, can result in additional charges, as reflected in several recent indictments.
Despite successes in reducing crossings, border policy remains politically contentious. Immigration advocacy groups and some lawmakers argue that enforcement practices must be balanced with humanitarian considerations and legal protections, especially for families and asylum seekers. Yet federal law enforcement officials maintain that the priority is safeguarding communities and maintaining control of the border.
As enforcement actions continue into the new year, federal prosecutors and agents across New Mexico and the southwest are expected to maintain a high tempo of operations, pairing interior criminal prosecutions with border interdictions designed to sustain low levels of unauthorized entry and disrupt smuggling networks.
There are an estimated 30,000,000 illegals in the US. Where as 214 is commendable we are talking about 1 in 10 people in the country need to be deported.