(MANITOWOC COUNTY, WISCONSIN) The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that 24 undocumented immigrants were arrested in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, during an operation conducted last Thursday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies. Officials initially reported 21 arrests, then corrected the total to 24. The operation unfolded as federal agents interviewed victims tied to a human trafficking and drug trafficking ring, many of whom were children, and identified several people without lawful status during those interviews.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, federal confirmation of the higher count followed early confusion as details of the multi-agency effort came into view. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the action formed part of broader efforts to dismantle transnational criminal networks and to put the safety of American children first.
While the interviews focused on trafficking victims, ICE took several undocumented individuals into custody based on findings during the operation. Federal officials later described six of those arrested as “some of the worst of the worst arrested,” while declining to release the same level of detail about the remaining cases.
Operation context and arrest tally
Authorities confirmed the arrests occurred while federal teams were working directly with trafficking survivors in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. The federal government’s account did not provide a timeline beyond “last Thursday,” nor did it specify which other agencies assisted ICE.
The human trafficking and drug trafficking investigation was the backdrop for the enforcement activity and led agents to identify people who lacked legal status in the United States during the interview process.
Key points about the arrest tally:
– Officials first reported 21 arrests, then later revised the figure to 24.
– The change was not explained in detail, but the updated count (24) is the official tally for the Manitowoc County operation.
– The Department of Homeland Security has not released names or case information for the other 18 individuals beyond confirming their arrest during the same operation.
Federal authorities highlighted a set of offenses among those arrested, noting the group includes people with prior convictions or pending cases. The list of charges and convictions that appear among the arrests includes:
– Sexual assault of a child
– Identity theft
– Hit and run incidents
– DUI/OWI offenses
– Disorderly conduct
– Possession of narcotic equipment
– Various traffic violations
Officials emphasized that six people were singled out for detailed reporting; they did not state that all 24 individuals face these types of criminal issues, only that the listed offenses appear among those arrested.
Cases detailed by DHS
The Department of Homeland Security released more information on six people. These summaries reflect prior convictions, pending charges, or prior removals as provided by officials:
- Jose Hilario Moreno Portillo (Honduras)
- Previously removed from the United States in August 2020.
- Arrested in May 2025 for sexual assault of a child.
- Preliminary hearing scheduled for October 16 in Manitowoc County court.
- Abraham Maldanado Almanza (Mexico)
- Has a conviction for identity theft.
- Roel Francisco Monroy Orellana (Honduras)
- Convicted of hit and run and four counts of traffic offenses.
- Darvin Uriel Villavicencio (Nicaragua)
- Convictions for disorderly conduct and two counts of traffic offenses.
- State court records include citation cases from Manitowoc County.
- Erlin Joel Villavicencio (Nicaragua)
- Convicted of two counts of driving under the influence.
- Has a pending charge for failure to appear and a pending misdemeanor case for failing to report to jail.
- Christian Naun Diaz-Alfaro (Honduras)
- Convicted of possession of narcotic equipment and driving under the influence.
- Has a pending misdemeanor OWI case in Manitowoc County.
Officials referred to these six as examples of the types of cases involved in the operation. They did not publish comparable details for the remaining 18 people, nor did they explain the criteria used to select these six for public disclosure.
Custody, case status, and information withheld
- ICE declined to say where the arrested individuals are being held or to describe the status of their cases.
- The agency did not indicate whether those without pending state matters will face federal immigration proceedings first, or whether any are in local custody based on state charges.
- No timeline was given for next steps.
The federal government has not disclosed additional details about the human trafficking and drug trafficking investigation beyond noting that interviews with victims, including children, were underway when arrests in Manitowoc County occurred. Assistant Secretary McLaughlin’s statement placed the operation in the context of targeting transnational criminal networks and stated that protecting children was a priority.
Officials did not say:
– How many victims were interviewed
– How the interviews were arranged
– How long the broader investigation has been active
The lack of information about detention locations leaves families and local advocates with few answers. ICE did not provide booking locations, case numbers, or transfer information. The status of the 18 other arrested individuals remains undisclosed, and no further biographical details were released for them.
The Department of Homeland Security also did not state whether:
– Consular notifications were made
– Any of the arrested individuals requested legal counsel at the time of arrest
Local impact and public information
For residents of Manitowoc County, the operation underscores the intersection of federal criminal investigations and immigration enforcement. Authorities described the day’s work as focused on the protection of children caught in human trafficking networks, while the correction from 21 to 24 arrests clarifies the scope of the enforcement action.
In the six highlighted cases, court records and prior convictions form much of the public summary. State charges, including DUI/OWI, disorderly conduct, and traffic offenses, appear alongside more serious allegations such as sexual assault of a child and possession of narcotic equipment.
Officials did not disclose:
– Plea statuses
– Sentencing information
– Immigration court dates for those who may face removal proceedings after local or state matters conclude
The Department of Homeland Security did not announce any new policy changes connected to the operation. The official account focused on the arrests, the interview setting, and a brief characterization of criminal histories for a subset of those detained. There was no information on whether additional arrests are expected in relation to the same trafficking investigation.
Residents and readers seeking official background on federal efforts to combat human trafficking can review the Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign:
– https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign
While Thursday’s operation in Manitowoc County took place within an active investigation, officials did not link it to a specific public initiative and did not identify partner agencies by name.
Outstanding questions and next steps
As of now, ICE has not provided timing for future public updates. The agency did not answer questions about whether any of the arrested individuals may:
– Be released on bond
– Be moved between facilities
– Be placed into expedited processes
No information was shared about:
– Immigration relief requests
– Victim cooperation or witness status for any person detained
The federal government has not said whether further details will be made public as the trafficking case progresses.
This Article in a Nutshell
Authorities from ICE and other federal agencies arrested 24 undocumented immigrants in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, during an operation linked to a human trafficking and drug trafficking investigation. Officials initially reported 21 arrests before revising the count to 24. The arrests occurred while agents interviewed victims, including children, and identified individuals without lawful status. DHS publicly detailed six cases showing prior convictions or pending charges—ranging from sexual assault of a child to identity theft, hit-and-run, DUI/OWI, and narcotics possession—but withheld details about the other 18 detainees. ICE did not disclose detention locations, case timelines, or whether consular notifications or legal counsel requests were made. The agency framed the action as part of efforts to dismantle transnational criminal networks and prioritize child protection, while providing limited operational details and no timeline for future updates.
