U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested three men in Dallas during a targeted operation last week, the Department of Homeland Security announced on Tuesday.
“This targeted multi-day operation resulted in high impact arrests of a Tren de Aragua gang member, a MS-13 gang member, and an illegal alien involved in a vehicle theft ring in Dallas, Texas. Our law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to arrest and remove public safety threats from American communities,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis.
“Under President Trump, ICE has arrested more than 7,800 gang members. ICE is delivering day-in and day-out on the American people’s mandate to make America safe again,” Bis continued.
The operation took place on March 18 and 19. ICE took Jhonny Colmenares-Sepulveda into custody. Colmenares-Sepulveda, a Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang member, entered the U.S. in August 2023 near Brownsville, Texas, and was released under the Biden administration.
Fernando Avilez-Romero, an El Salvadoran who admitted MS-13 membership, was also arrested. Avilez-Romero entered illegally in 2013 and was released by the Obama administration. He later received a green card. His record includes two convictions for assault causing bodily injury and possession of dangerous drugs. Those felony convictions put him in removal proceedings.
Fabian Rodriguez-Ortiz, a Venezuelan linked to a vehicle theft ring, rounded out the arrests. Rodriguez-Ortiz entered illegally in 2023 and was released under the Biden administration. An immigration judge issued him a final removal order in November 2025.
DHS stated ICE has arrested more than 7,800 criminal illegal alien gang members from U.S. communities since President Trump took office.
