Demands for border security surged again this week after the Department of Justice charged 1,238 people with criminal immigration offenses along the U.S.–Mexico border. Among those facing charges are U.S. citizens, legal residents, and foreign nationals, including Sabino Renteria-Alvarado, whose name is already familiar to law enforcement, and two women accused of smuggling illegal aliens in Texas.

According to Breitbart, most of the cases stem from illegal entry into the U.S., but some involve more serious crimes and repeat offenders. The sweep reflects President Donald Trump’s Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative designed to target illegal immigration, cartel activity, and violent crime along the southwest border.

Prosecutors and border officials say the operation has exposed not only unlawful entry but a troubling pattern of repeat criminal activity, drug crimes, and even child exploitation. Meanwhile, critics worry that the effort sweeps up low-level offenders and complain about potential overreach.

Border surge brings arrests

Federal prosecutors filed charges in Texas, Arizona, California, and New Mexico during the week ending May 30, with the Western District of Texas seeing the largest spike—over 400 cases. These numbers highlight the persistent pressure on the southern border despite years of debate and billions spent on border enforcement.

Sabino Renteria-Alvarado, a Mexican national, was arrested on May 28 at the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry. Authorities allege he attempted to enter the country using a false claim of legal permanent residency. After further investigation, agents learned he had been previously removed from the U.S. in 2024 through Nogales, Arizona. His criminal record includes a 15-year sentence for sexual assault of a minor in 2017, making his alleged illegal re-entry a felony.

In Del Rio, Texas, two separate smuggling attempts landed U.S. citizens Nancy Anna Gwyn and Anastasia Lee Daneill Godfrey in federal custody. Gwyn is suspected of transporting three illegal aliens in her vehicle, while Godfrey was arrested at a highway checkpoint after authorities discovered two illegal aliens in the trunk of her sedan.

Prosecutions include serious crimes

The Southern District of Texas reported 281 criminal cases in just one week, with many defendants facing re-entry charges after previous felony convictions. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei emphasized the pattern of repeat offenses, noting that many charged have prior convictions for narcotics, violent crimes, sexual offenses, and earlier immigration violations.

One of the most disturbing cases involves Carlos Enrique Gonzalez-Pena, a non-citizen present on a work visa. Prosecutors allege he was found in possession of child sexual abuse material, including two videos—one showing a female child as young as four years old being sexually assaulted. The charges claim he accessed child pornography on the darknet. If convicted, Gonzalez-Pena could face up to 20 years in prison.

Authorities say such cases reinforce the need for strict enforcement along the border, arguing that unchecked illegal entry can open the door for dangerous criminals. Supporters of Trump’s initiative see Operation Take Back America as critical to restoring the rule of law and protecting American communities from cartel and gang violence.

Critics question approach

Not everyone supports the administration’s approach. Civil liberties groups and some legal experts argue that the government’s sweeping crackdown risks ensnaring non-violent offenders and asylum seekers alongside repeat felons. Critics claim that by focusing on headline-grabbing criminal cases, the real plight of families fleeing violence is ignored.

Some immigration advocates question whether the operation’s resources could be better spent on smarter border security and humanitarian relief. They point out that mass prosecutions can overwhelm local courts and detention facilities, leading to delays and due-process concerns.

Defenders of the operation, however, argue that critics ignore the mounting threats posed by cartels and transnational criminal organizations. They say that robust enforcement is necessary to deter illegal crossings, undercut smuggling networks, and keep violent offenders off American streets.

Operation Take Back America expands

Operation Take Back America is the centerpiece of President Trump’s border strategy. By bringing together the resources of the Department of Justice, federal law enforcement, and border security agencies, the administration aims to eliminate cartel influence and clamp down on illegal immigration. Besides Texas and Arizona, federal prosecutors charged 152 people in New Mexico and 135 in the Southern District of California over the past week. The breadth of these cases underscores the scale of the challenge along the entire southwest border, not just in a single state or city.

Why This Story Matters

This story underscores the scope and intensity of federal efforts to curb illegal immigration and the related rise in criminal charges across several border states. Communities need to understand how these operations may impact residents, including those inadvertently affected by law enforcement actions. It also brings attention to how immigration enforcement can uncover deeper networks of criminal activity, from human trafficking to child exploitation, showing the multifaceted nature of border crime.

Conclusion

In summary, more than 1,200 immigration crime charges were filed between May 24 and May 30 across border districts in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas as part of "Operation Take Back America." Most charges involved unlawful entry or re-entry into the United States, but several notable cases included human smuggling and one involving possession of child sexual abuse material. The cases highlight the continued strain on U.S. border enforcement and the far-reaching consequences of illegal immigration and related crimes.