New Mexico Weekly Immigration and Border Crimes Report

ALBUQUERQUE – Today, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced its immigration enforcement statistics. These cases are prosecuted in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, along with Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and assistance from other federal, state, and county agencies. 

Enhancing Border Surveillance Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force – Southern Border monitor traffic and utilize sUAS capabilities to assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in Del Rio, Texas. These soldiers provide unique aerial and ground observation capabilities to secure the southern border. (Photo Courtesy JTF Southern Border via Facebook)

In the four-week period ending October 30, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office brought the following criminal charges in New Mexico:

• 249 individuals were charged with Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326)
• 27 individuals were charged with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324)
• 139 individuals were charged with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325)
• 285 individuals were charged with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325), violation of a military security regulation (50 U.S.C. 797) and Entering Military, Naval, or Coast Guard Property (18 U.S.C. 1382), arising from the newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico. 

Many of the defendants charged pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1326 had prior criminal convictions for drug trafficking, assault with a deadly weapon, disorderly conduct, unlawful weapons possession, domestic violence by strangulation, possession of a stolen vehicle, robbery, burglary, larceny, counterfeiting, child abuse, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal damage to property, narcotics trafficking, alien smuggling, and prior immigration offenses.

Reinforcing Border Barriers Combat engineers assigned to Joint Task Force - Southern Border conduct barrier reinforcement efforts in Nogales, Arizona, alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection. These Marines provide unique engineering capabilities, including welding and placing protective wire, to secure the southern border. (Photos Courtesy JTF Southern Border via Facebook)

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

These statistics represent prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico only. The numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process.

Standing the watch so you don't have to. Operating under Operation Ardent Vanguard, Joint Task Force-Southern Border works day and night alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection to maintain constant vigilance and secure our nation's southern approaches. (Photos Courtesy U.S. Northern Command via Facebook)

Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the District of New Mexico. 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 District of New Mexico consists of 33 counties and shares 180 miles of international border with Mexico.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Albuquerque and Las Cruces work directly with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to prosecute immigration-related and other federal offenses.