U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives to address House Republicans at their annual issues conference retreat, at the Kennedy Center, renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center by the Trump-appointed board of directors, in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 6, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
(Houston, Texas) – Federal immigration officials say more than 400 illegal immigrants accused or convicted of child sex crimes were arrested by authorities in the Houston area during the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Houston arrested 414 illegal aliens charged with or convicted of child sex offenses during the year.
Officials say those arrested were responsible for 761 child sex crimes, along with 525 additional criminal offenses, including serious crimes such as homicide, robbery, assault and drug-related offenses.
ICE officials say the arrests are part of a broader push by the Trump administration to crack down on illegal immigration and remove dangerous offenders from American communities.
One of the individuals arrested was Juan Leonardo Garcia Ibarra, a 48-year-old Mexican national who authorities say illegally reentered the United States 12 times. ICE said Garcia Ibarra had prior convictions including sexual indecency with a child, aggravated assault, cruelty toward a child, DWI and felony illegal reentry. He was deported to Mexico shortly after his arrest.
Another individual taken into custody was Andrew Mark Watson, a citizen of the United Kingdom who had previously been convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material and sexually exploiting a minor. Watson remains in ICE custody while immigration proceedings continue.
Authorities also arrested Alex Samuel Lara Diaz, a previously deported Honduran national who had been convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a minor. ICE later deported him to Honduras, where he is also wanted in connection with a homicide case.
ICE officials say removing individuals accused of crimes against children remains a top priority.
Gabriel Martinez, acting field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Houston, said the arrests reflect the agency’s ongoing public safety mission.
“While some elected officials and media commentators have criticized ICE operations, our officers remain focused on protecting communities,” Martinez said in a statement. “Their work led to the arrest and removal of more than 400 child predators from our communities.”
Officials say immigration enforcement operations targeting violent offenders and individuals convicted of crimes against minors will continue across the region.
