In an enforcement action by the Southern District of Texas, 247 defendants have been charged with immigration and border security-related offenses during the final week of July, highlighting an ongoing commitment to Operation Take Back America. US Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei detailed the charges in a press release from the US Attorney’s Office, which include 21 for human smuggling, 119 for illegal entry into the nation, and 107 for criminal reentry following previous removal.
Four Mexican nationals have been charged with unlawful reentry, having previously been convicted of crimes ranging from narcotic possession to numerous counts for driving while intoxicated. Despite previous deportations from 2005 to 2025, they were allegedly discovered in the McAllen region without legal authorization. According to the office of US Attorney Ganjei, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Hugo Armando Esquivel Castro and Jose Armando Wong Lopez, who were previously removed after being convicted of harboring unauthorized immigrants, have also been charged with illegal returns to the United States. Another case involves Jonathan Ray Balderas, who was sentenced to 41 months in jail after attempting to smuggle ten undocumented immigrants. During the incident, he was found with a loaded weapon. The court mentioned deterrence as a critical component in calculating the duration of the sentence.
Rafael Cortez-Gonzalez, a serial offender, has been sentenced to more than three years in jail for his fourth unauthorized entry into the United States. According to information obtained by the US Attorney’s Office, his criminal record includes two felony convictions for the same offense and one conviction for conveying an illegal alien within the United States. Cortez-Gonzalez received a 39-month sentence to discourage future offenses.
Operation Take Back America is a collaboration between federal, state, and local entities. The effort aims to address illegal immigration, disrupt cartel activity, and combat violent crime. It brings together resources from several task groups to support law enforcement operations centered on public safety and border security.
