In the week ending March 6, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico reported criminal charges against individuals involved in immigration and border-related offenses. These prosecutions were carried out in cooperation with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and other agencies at various government levels.
According to the office, 47 people were charged with illegal reentry after deportation under federal law. Additionally, five individuals faced charges related to alien smuggling. There were 22 cases involving illegal entry. Another group of 49 individuals was charged with a combination of illegal entry, violation of a military security regulation, and entering restricted military property following incidents connected to a recently established National Defense Area in New Mexico.
The office noted that many defendants accused under laws prohibiting illegal reentry had prior convictions for serious crimes such as second-degree murder, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, vehicle theft, fraud related to immigration documents, possession of a firearm by an undocumented person, and previous immigration violations.
These actions are part of Operation Take Back America. As stated by the office: “Operation Take Back America is 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.”
Officials clarified that these figures only reflect prosecutions handled by their office and do not account for those apprehended but processed through administrative channels instead.
Leadership emphasized ongoing priorities: “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 includes all 33 counties in New Mexico and shares approximately 180 miles along its international border with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys based in Albuquerque and Las Cruces collaborate closely with law enforcement partners across different jurisdictions to address immigration-related offenses.
