ICE Lodges Immigration Detainers on Criminal Aliens Arrested for Manslaughter

ICE News Releases

Filed March 4th, 2026

Detected March 5th, 2026

Summary

ICE Houston has lodged immigration detainers on two individuals arrested for intoxicated manslaughter. The agency highlighted that in the past year, ICE Houston arrested 21 criminal aliens convicted of intoxicated manslaughter and 243 aliens with three or more DWI convictions.

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What changed

ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston has lodged immigration detainers on two individuals, Enrique Acevedo Barocio and Manuel Neri Mendoza, who were arrested for intoxicated manslaughter. The agency noted that these arrests follow a broader trend, with ERO Houston having apprehended 21 criminal aliens convicted of intoxicated manslaughter and 243 aliens with three or more DWI convictions in the past year. The document also highlights specific cases of previously removed individuals with multiple DWI and other criminal convictions who were re-arrested.

This enforcement action underscores ICE's focus on individuals with prior criminal convictions, particularly those involving driving while intoxicated and vehicular manslaughter. While this is an enforcement action and not a new regulation, it serves as a notice to legal professionals and law enforcement regarding ICE's priorities and activities. Regulated entities, particularly those employing or interacting with foreign nationals, should be aware of the agency's stance on individuals with such criminal histories and the potential for increased detainer actions. No specific compliance deadline or penalty is mentioned, as this is an operational update rather than a regulatory mandate.

What to do next

Review ICE enforcement priorities regarding individuals with prior DWI and manslaughter convictions.
Ensure compliance with immigration laws for foreign national employees and individuals interacting with the justice system.

Source document (simplified)

@EROHouston and @ICEgovERO

March 4, 2026 Houston, TX, United States Enforcement and Removal

ICE Houston lodges detainers on 2 criminal illegal aliens arrested for intoxicated manslaughter in past month

The deadly incidents come on the heels of ICE Houston arresting 21 criminal aliens convicted of intoxicated manslaughter and 243 aliens with 3 or more DWI convictions in the past year HOUSTON — ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston lodged immigration detainers with the Harris County Jail on Enrique Acevedo Barocio, a 27-year-old criminal illegal alien from Mexico, on Feb. 2 and Manuel Neri Mendoza, a 37-year-old previously returned criminal illegal alien from Mexico with two prior DWI convictions, on Feb. 24, after they were each arrested for intoxicated manslaughter.

The two deadly incidents come on the heels of ICE Houston arresting 21 criminal illegal aliens convicted of intoxicated manslaughter and 243 aliens convicted of three or more DWIs during President Trump’s first year back in office.

“After violating our nation’s laws to illegally enter the country, these criminal illegal aliens repeatedly put the lives of innocent Americans in jeopardy by getting behind the wheel intoxicated,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston acting Field Office Director Gabriel Martinez. “Tragically, at least 23 families will wake up tomorrow without a loved one as a result of this reckless criminal behavior.”

After the most recent incident, Mendoza allegedly attempted to flee the scene, leaving a 3-year-old child alone in a wrecked vehicle with their deceased mother. Unfortunately, it wasn’t an isolated incident, as ICE Houston arrested 98 criminal illegal aliens in the past year who fled the scene of an accident and were convicted of failing to stop and give aid after an accident.

“It has become extremely common for criminal illegal aliens to flee from ICE and other law enforcement,” said Martinez. “This is a direct result of elected officials demonizing our officers and encouraging aliens to evade arrest.”

Among the criminal illegal aliens arrested by ICE Houston last year with prior convictions for intoxicated manslaughter or three or more DWIs were:

Samuel Valenzuela-Martinez, a 55-year-old, five-time deported criminal illegal alien from Mexico with three prior convictions for DWI and one for hit-and-run, was arrested by ICE on July 7, 2025. Valenzuela-Martinez has also been convicted twice for aggravated assault and illegal entry, and once for fraud, larceny, cruelty toward a child, obstructing a criminal investigation, escape and felony illegal reentry. ICE removed Valenzuela-Martinez to Mexico on July 9, 2025.
Jose Jaudencio Coj Pocop, a 32-year-old criminal illegal alien from Guatemala with prior convictions for intoxicated manslaughter, DWI, hit-and-run and assault, was arrested by ICE on Aug. 24, 2025. ICE removed Coj Pocop to Guatemala on Sept. 4, 2025.
Leticia Caballero Guadarrama, a 54-year-old, six-time removed criminal illegal alien from Mexico with six DWI convictions, was arrested by ICE on March 12, 2025. Caballero has also been convicted six times for theft, and twice for refusing to provide ID to law enforcement. ICE removed Caballero to Mexico on March 13, 2025.
Ramiro Castillo Juarez, a 38-year-old, three-time removed criminal illegal alien from Mexico who was previously convicted of intoxicated manslaughter, was arrested by ICE on July 3, 2025. ICE removed Castillo to Mexico on July 7, 2025.
Humberto Romero Avila, a 46-year-old, five-time removed criminal illegal alien from Mexico who has been convicted five times for DWI, was arrested by ICE on Jan. 31, 2025. Avila has also been convicted of larceny, illegal reentry and illegal entry, and was deported to Mexico by ICE on Feb. 13, 2025. He was turned over to Mexican authorities to be prosecuted for homicide.
Victor Manuel Carrillo-Arreazola, a 43-year-old, 12-time removed criminal illegal alien from Mexico who has been convicted of intoxicated manslaughter and illegal entry, was arrested by ICE on Aug. 4, 2025. ICE removed Carrillo-Arreazola to Mexico on Aug. 8, 2025.
Mario Salinas-Garza, a 49-year-old, 10-time removed criminal illegal alien from Mexico who has been convicted of four DWIs, was arrested by ICE on June 20, 2025. Salinas-Garza has also been convicted 10 times for drug possession, seven times for illegal reentry, twice for burglary and vehicle theft, and once for public order crimes. ICE removed Salinas-Garza to Mexico on June 23, 2025.
Jose Ibarra Manuel Gamez, a 43-year-old, six-time deported criminal illegal alien from Mexico who has been convicted of four DWIs, twice for illegal entry and once for hit-and-run, was arrested by ICE on Aug. 20, 2025. ICE removed Gamez to Mexico on Aug. 23, 2025.
Jose Luis Mondragon-Mercado, a 33-year-old, four-time deported criminal illegal alien from Mexico who has been convicted of three DWIs, was arrested by ICE on July 3, 2025. Mondragon-Mercado has also been convicted four times for burglary, three times for illegal reentry, twice for refusing to aid an officer, and once for obstruction. ICE removed Mondragon-Mercado to Mexico on July 7, 2025.
Gerardo Abel Galvan, a 46-year-old, four-time deported criminal illegal alien from Mexico who has been convicted of eight DWIs, was arrested by ICE on June 26, 2025. Galvan has also been convicted three times for fraud; twice each for illegal reentry, fleeing from officers, resisting arrest and aggravated assault; and once for larceny and public order crimes. ICE removed Galvan to Mexico on June 28, 2025.
ICE lodged a detainer with the Harris County (Texas) Jail on Enrique Acevedo Barocio, a 27-year-old criminal illegal alien from Mexico, on Feb. 2 following his arrest for intoxicated manslaughter.
ICE lodged a detainer with the Harris County (Texas) Jail on Manuel Neri Mendoza, a 37-year-old previously returned criminal illegal alien from Mexico with two prior DWI convictions, on Feb. 24 following his arrest for intoxicated manslaughter. To learn more about ICE’s efforts to defend public safety in the Houston area by enforcing our nation’s immigration laws follow us on X at @EROHouston.

Members of the public can report crime and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form. Follow us on X @ICEgovERO to learn more about ERO’s missions and operations.

Updated:

03/04/2026