Homeland Security Names Five ICE Arrests in Austin in a New Enforcement Statement

AUSTIN — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a statement on Wednesday showcasing five arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Austin, describing them as examples of the most serious offenders the agency has taken into custody in the city. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in the statement: “No matter how much sanctuary politicians try to obstruct us, the patriots of ICE will keep doing their jobs by arresting and deporting criminal illegal aliens.” The department said the Austin arrests included people convicted of second-degree murder, rape and arson, among other crimes; the details below are the department's account.

According to the statement, Juan Fernando Lara Saavedra, from Honduras, was arrested by ICE on October 29; the department said his criminal history includes a conviction for second-degree murder, that a final order of removal was issued in October 2014 and he was deported that November, and that he later re-entered the country at an unknown date and location. David Alejandro Vera Belandia, from Venezuela, was arrested on October 15; the department said his history includes a conviction for second-degree sexual assault — rape, that he entered through Texas in September 2023, and that an immigration judge issued him a final order of removal on June 18, 2026.

Santiago Lopez Diaz, from Honduras, was arrested on November 1, the department said, with a conviction for aggravated battery on a pregnant woman and five prior deportations, in 2005, 2008, twice in 2010 and 2024. Alvaro Lopez Ayala, from Mexico, was arrested on October 22; the department listed convictions including indecent assault, aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, assault, flight to avoid, marijuana possession and fraud involving illegal use of credit cards, and said he had been deported twice before. Rogelio Ramos Celedon, from Mexico, was arrested on October 5; the department said his history includes an arson conviction and an arrest for possession of a controlled substance, and that after a final removal order on October 27, ICE deported him on October 30.

The statement is the department's own presentation of its Austin enforcement work, issued from Washington; it did not include comment from Austin city officials, and the criminal histories it lists are stated by the department without independent court records attached to the release.