Houston, Texas – Federal prosecutors in South Texas reported a surge of immigration-related enforcement actions during the final week of February, underscoring ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and address unlawful entry and related crimes. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced that a total of 473 cases were filed between Feb. 20 and Feb. 26 as part of continuing enforcement measures aimed at protecting the southern border.
The filings include charges against 23 individuals allegedly involved in human smuggling operations. Authorities also filed 202 criminal complaints for illegal entry and charged another 244 individuals with felony reentry after prior removal. Prosecutors noted that many of those charged with felony reentry have prior convictions, including narcotics offenses, violent crimes, and immigration violations. The remaining cases involve other immigration-related offenses.
Felony reentry cases and prior convictions
Among the newly filed cases are three men from different countries accused of felony reentry after removal. Joel Antonio Alvarez-Reyes of El Salvador and Arturo Corona-Santiago of Mexico, both previously convicted of burglary, were allegedly found in the McAllen area without legal authorization to be in the United States. Ariel Lazaro Hernandez-Misiara of Honduras, who has a conviction for cocaine trafficking, was allegedly discovered near Roma after having been removed from the country on Jan. 2. If convicted, each faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
In Corpus Christi, a federal jury convicted 63-year-old Penitas resident Ludivina Vasquez-Salinas of transporting an illegal alien further into the United States. Authorities encountered her on May 7, 2025, driving a white SUV and noticed movement beneath a blanket on the rear floorboard. Vasquez-Salinas initially claimed only she and her daughter were in the vehicle but later admitted she knew an illegal alien was present and that she was transporting the person past a checkpoint. The jury deliberated for just 25 minutes before returning a guilty verdict.
Prison sentences imposed in multiple cases
In Houston, two previously removed felons were sentenced to federal prison for unlawful reentry. Raymundo Pecina-Lopez received 39 months, and Samuel Moreno-Soto was sentenced to 18 months. Both Mexican nationals have prior convictions involving assault of a family member and narcotics offenses…