EASTON, Pa. — A suspected Venezuelan gang member was arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement outside Northampton County Prison, the agency confirmed.
According to a release issued by ICE, Luis Gualdron-Gualdron, “a citizen and national of Venezuela who previously entered the United States without inspection,” was taken into custody on Jan. 31 without incident near the prison shortly after an immigration detainer was not honored.
"Gualdron is a 'suspected Tren de Aragua gang member' who has a criminal record in the commonwealth."U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement release
The release says Gualdron is a “suspected Tren de Aragua gang member” who has a criminal record in the commonwealth.
That record includes arrests for indecent assault of a person less than 16 years old and harassment.
He will be detained in Enforcement and Removal Operations, or ERO, custody without bond, according to the release.
ERO works under ICE “to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of our communities and the integrity of our immigration laws,” according to the ICE website.
'A threat to our communities'
"The arrest of Luis Gualdron-Gualdron, a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member with a serious criminal record, exemplifies our commitment to public safety and immigration law enforcement,” Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Brian McShane said.
“Working closely with our partners in Homeland Security Investigations, we will continue to ensure that those who pose a threat to our communities are apprehended and removed."
"Gualdron was convicted in Northampton County Court of harassment and was sentenced to three to six months in jail, with credit for time served."U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement release
The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Gualdron near Brownsville, Texas, on Dec. 13, 2023, for entering the country without inspection or parole by an immigration official.
Gualdron was served the next day with a notice to appear before an immigration judge charging inadmissibility and, since he was traveling with his spouse and children, was released on an order of recognizance.
Bethlehem Police arrested Gualdron on May 27 and charged him with indecent assault without consent, indecent assault on a person less than 16 years of age and harassment.
The ICE release states the government agency encountered Gualdron at the Northampton County Prison in Easton, and lodged an immigration detainer with the facility on May 28.
Gualdron was convicted in Northampton County Court of harassment and sentenced him to three to six months in jail, with credit for time served, according to the ICE release.
Hit the ground running
President Donald Trump’s administration made mass deportations of illegal immigrants a cornerstone of its campaigning and initiatives, triggering both support of and opposition to promises to clear the country of 11 million illegal immigrants.
The administration hit the ground running with numerous raids throughout the country.
According to Reuters, ICE arrests throughout the country have increased to 900 to 1,200 per day, whereas the daily average in 2024 hovered around 311.
Another release from ICE issued Jan. 21 references Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman’s decision to issue “two directives essential to ending the invasion of the U.S. southern border and empower law enforcement to protect Americans.”
One directive rescinded the Biden administration’s guidelines for ICE and Customs and Border Patrol enforcement actions “that thwart law enforcement in or near so-called ‘sensitive’ areas.’”
'No longer able to hide'
The second returned humanitarian parole to a case-by-case basis, ending what Huffman called “broad abuse” of the system.
“ICE and CBP will phase out any parole programs that are not in accordance with the law,” a statement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reads.
“This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens— including murders and rapists — who have illegally come into our country.
"Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense."U.S. Department of Homeland Security statement
"Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.
“The Biden-Harris Administration abused the humanitarian parole program to indiscriminately allow 1.5 million migrants to enter our country.
"This was all stopped on day one of the Trump Administration. This action will return the humanitarian parole program to its original purpose of looking at migrants on a case-by-case basis.”
