98 Indicted for Illegal Reentry, 19 Indicted for Military Security Violations, New Mexico 2026

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico - In a recent crackdown on immigration-related crimes, the United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico announced the indictment of 98 individuals for illegal reentry after deportation, 19 individuals for violating military security regulations, and six individuals for illegal entry.

The indictments, which took place over a two-week period ending March 27, 2026, were brought in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and other federal, state, and county agencies.

According to the indictment, many of the defendants charged with illegal reentry had prior criminal convictions for various offenses, including theft, aggravated DUI, aggravated assault, use of false immigration documents, aggravated vehicular assault, child sexual assault, domestic violence, alien smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and prior immigration offenses.

The 19 individuals charged with violating military security regulations, arising from the newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico, were also indicted for entering military, naval, or Coast Guard property (18 U.S.C. 1382).

The United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico stated that these cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that aims to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from violent crime.

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

Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the District of New Mexico. Enhanced enforcement in the district has yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault, and violence against children.

Defendant(s): 98 individuals charged with Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326)

City and State: ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico

Exact Date: Two-week period ending March 27, 2026

Sentence or Outcome: Pending

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/us-attorneys-office-district-new-mexico-weekly-immigration-and-border-crimes-report-42