(SOUTH TEXAS) A previously deported felon tied to the Sureños gang was arrested in South Texas on September 9, 2025, in what federal officials describe as part of a wider push to remove repeat immigration violators with criminal histories. ICE Homeland Security Investigations agents in the Rio Grande Valley took the man into custody after confirming he had re-entered the United States 🇺🇸 following removal, a federal offense under 8 U.S.C. § 1326.
ICE said he carried a lengthy criminal record and was identified as a Sureños member. One week later, on September 16, 2025, ICE announced the arrest of another previously deported Sureño gang member in the region, underscoring continued operations aimed at transnational gangs.
Recent major operations and context
The arrests follow a major sweep between August 17–23, 2025, when ICE Houston reported 822 arrests during a weeklong operation across Southeast Texas, including South Texas. Those apprehended included:
- criminal aliens
- gang members
- convicted murderers
- child predators
- foreign fugitives
- individuals flagged as egregious immigration offenders
ICE and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leadership have repeatedly argued these operations are necessary for public safety, citing violent records tied to groups such as Sureños, Florencia 13, and the Venezuelan-origin Tren de Aragua.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, a senior DHS official, framed the strategy bluntly: “If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will find you, we will arrest you, and you will never return.” According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the approach marks a firmer stance than earlier guidance that sometimes focused mainly on the most serious offenders.
Rio Grande Valley case and ICE procedures
In the Rio Grande Valley case, agents identified the suspect as a previously deported convicted felon and alleged Sureños gang member. Because he had crossed the border again after removal, he faced immediate arrest and processing.
Under ICE procedures, people in this category are:
- fingerprinted
- screened for criminal and immigration histories
- assessed for federal immigration charges
Some also face state charges if local agencies discover separate offenses during the arrest, such as drug possession or firearm violations.
ICE has expanded the use of expedited removal and reinstatement tools for people labeled as repeat immigration violators with gang histories. Two key documents can shape those cases:
- Form I-860 (Notice and Order of Expedited Removal) — immigration officers may issue this to remove a person quickly without a court hearing in certain scenarios. See the official form here: CBP Form I-860.
- Form I-871 (Notice of Intent/Decision to Reinstate Prior Order) — used when DHS reinstates a prior removal order because someone re-entered after deportation. Official document link: DHS Form I-871.
When officers reinstate a prior order, the person usually has limited chances to contest the charge. In practice, that often means fast removal timelines unless the person seeks protection on fear-based grounds (for example, asylum or withholding of removal). Even then, the scope of review can be narrow.
Multi-agency cooperation and notable raids
Multi-agency operations have grown more common. Federal teams now work with:
- state DPS units
- FBI task forces
- county and local law enforcement
These teams locate targets, share intelligence, and execute warrants together. For example, in March 2025 a Hays County raid resulted in 47 arrests, with authorities alleging ties to Tren de Aragua. Some defense attorneys have challenged the evidence, and disputes over who is truly in a gang continue to surface in court filings and community meetings.
Due process concerns and community impact
Law enforcement and prosecutors say their focus is on people with proven criminal histories and strong indicators of gang affiliation. Many officers view the Sureños and related cliques as violent networks that move drugs, traffic guns, and threaten neighborhoods from the border to large metro areas. They argue the arrests reduce serious crime and protect both immigrant and U.S.-born families in South Texas.
But that perspective is not universal. Legal scholars and immigrant advocates warn that some people are labeled gang members based on:
- tattoos
- clothing colors
- social media posts
These indicators can be misleading. Instances cited by advocates include people who:
- share a last name with a known member
- appear in a photo at a party
- have a tattoo associated with a gang despite denying involvement
Civil rights groups say such practices can lead to wrongful arrests, rapid detention, and quick removal without a fair chance to contest the allegation.
Access to lawyers is another major challenge. Detained immigrants often struggle to:
- find counsel
- pay for bond
- gather proof that counters a gang label
Unlike criminal courts, immigration courts do not appoint free lawyers. Families in South Texas report racing to secure records, find witnesses, and locate legal help while the clock ticks. Defense attorneys say the fast pace of reinstatement and expedited removal makes it harder to build a defense.
ICE leaders push back on these concerns, stressing officers rely on a mixture of:
- criminal records
- admissions
- intelligence
- cooperation with other agencies
Officials maintain the focus is on those who pose a public safety threat and say the agency follows the law for credible fear screenings when people express fear of harm if returned.
Human stories and local reactions
The human impact is real on both sides:
- Residents who have seen gang violence often welcome the arrests and report neighborhoods feel safer.
- Mixed-status families fear a father could be labeled a gang member in error and face removal within days.
In the August sweep, ICE noted it targeted people with serious offenses; still, local advocates said they received calls from loved ones who could not reach a lawyer before transfers to detention centers far from home.
Enforcement patterns also affect asylum seekers. If someone previously deported had a pending fear-based claim or plans to seek protection again, the bars to presenting that claim can be steep. Officers must ask screening questions if a person shows fear, but quick timelines and transfers can complicated access to legal counsel. Advocates say this is especially problematic for people from Venezuela and Mexico, where transnational gangs operate and intimidation spreads across borders.
While the most publicized arrests involve the Sureños gang, ICE has also pointed to recent cases tied to Florencia 13. In one case highlighted in August 2025, officers arrested an individual with 24 prior arrests and 16 convictions, cited as an example of the “worst of the worst.” Law enforcement officials say focusing resources on repeat offenders aligns with both immigration and public safety goals.
Practical guidance for families
If you or a loved one live in South Texas and face these risks, consider these steps:
- Keep copies of any prior immigration orders. If DHS issues Form I-871, provide the full file to a lawyer quickly.
- If a loved one fears harm in the home country, tell officers immediately so the case can be flagged for screening.
- Gather proof that may counter a gang label, such as:
- school records
- work history
- church letters
- statements from community leaders
- Save attorney numbers. Legal help can be hard to find after a sudden arrest. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (aila.org) lists local attorneys and legal aid groups.
Legal challenges, policy outlook, and what to watch
Officials maintain that operations will continue. DHS and ICE have signaled that large-scale arrests aimed at gang members and deported felons who re-enter will remain a priority through the end of 2025. This stance fits a broader border strategy including:
- more interior enforcement
- joint task forces
- use of fast-track removal tools when the law allows
At the same time, lawsuits and policy debates continue. Civil liberties groups challenge how officers identify gang ties and whether circumstantial evidence justifies rapid removal. Some members of Congress have proposed bills to:
- tighten evidence rules
- expand legal protections when gang membership is alleged
As of September 17, 2025, no new laws have passed, so current rules remain in place.
Families in South Texas still face uncertainty. Examples from the region include:
- a mother whose teenage son removed a tattoo he got at 14 out of fear it would trigger a false label
- a shop owner who said business picked up after arrests he believes drove violent actors out
These accounts highlight the tension between safety and fairness that runs through the region’s immigration story.
ICE’s message is clear: the agency says the zero-tolerance stance toward repeat immigration violators with gang links is not softening, and that more arrests like those on September 9 and September 16 are likely.
The coming months will show whether courts, lawmakers, and the public accept the balance between swift enforcement and the rights of those caught up in fast-track systems.
For official updates on operations, policy statements, and case outcomes, consult the ICE Newsroom: ice.gov/newsroom.
This Article in a Nutshell
On September 9, 2025, ICE HSI agents in the Rio Grande Valley arrested a previously deported felon identified as a Sureños gang member for re-entering the U.S. after removal, a federal offense under 8 U.S.C. § 1326. Another similar arrest occurred on September 16, reinforcing a broader enforcement push. The actions follow an August 17–23 operation in Southeast Texas that resulted in 822 arrests. ICE emphasizes public-safety goals and increased use of expedited removal and reinstatement tools (Forms I-860 and I-871). Advocates raise due-process concerns, noting gang affiliation can be alleged using tattoos, clothing, or social media, and detained individuals often lack timely legal counsel. DHS plans continued enforcement through 2025 amid ongoing legal and policy debates.
