In a significant escalation of immigration enforcement, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona brought criminal charges against 310 individuals during a week-long operation from May 10 to May 16, 2025, according to a recent press release. This enforcement action represents the latest wave in the ongoing "Operation Take Back America" initiative launched under the Trump administration.
The charges filed last week include 125 cases of illegal re-entry into the United States and 170 cases of illegal entry. Additionally, 15 individuals were charged with smuggling undocumented migrants into and within Arizona, as part of what authorities describe as a comprehensive effort to deter unlawful immigration. These operations involved coordination among multiple federal agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Notable Cases
Among the notable cases highlighted by authorities is that of Angelica Ramos-Lopez, a U.S. citizen who was charged on May 10 with Conspiracy to Transport an Illegal Alien, Birth Certificate Fraud, and Aggravated Identity Theft. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Ramos-Lopez was apprehended at the State Route 85 immigration checkpoint near Gila Bend while attempting to transport a child using fraudulent documentation.
Border Patrol agents reported that Ramos-Lopez approached the checkpoint with a child lying in the backseat covered by a blanket, presenting a birth certificate and U.S. passport that she claimed belonged to her son. The child reportedly provided a different name than what appeared on the documents and stated that Ramos-Lopez was his stepmother. In a post-arrest interview, Ramos-Lopez allegedly admitted she was being paid to transport the undocumented child from Mexico to Phoenix.
Another significant case involves Yolanda Mendivil-Diaz, who was charged on May 13 with Reentry of a Removed Alien. Court records show that Mendivil-Diaz had previously been deported in 2014 following a conviction for Conspiracy to Sell or Transfer Narcotic Drugs in Arizona, demonstrating authorities' focus on individuals with prior criminal histories.
The case of Jose Herrera Daniel represents another dimension of cross-border enforcement efforts. On May 14, Daniel was charged with attempting to illegally export ammunition from the United States into Mexico. According to the Department of Justice, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 6,399 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition hidden in Daniel's vehicle at the Douglas Port of Entry.
Operation Take Back America
These cases are part of "Operation Take Back America," a nationwide initiative launched following President Trump's inauguration in January 2025. The operation aims to combine resources from the Department of Justice's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood to combat illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations, as reported by the Department of Justice.
The initiative has resulted in a steady increase in immigration-related charges across Arizona since early 2025. Just a week earlier, from May 3 to May 9, authorities charged 314 individuals with similar offenses. Prior to that, enforcement operations from April 26 to May 5 resulted in charges against 287 individuals, according to earlier reports from Hoodline Phoenix.
The Department of Homeland Security has emphasized that these enforcement operations target specific individuals rather than conducting generalized "sweeps." As former ICE agent Stewart explained in a statement to AZ Family, "They're targeted enforcement operations... Right now, as we're speaking, they're going after the worst of the worst. Like people who have very serious criminal histories."
Broader Context
These enforcement operations are occurring against the backdrop of significant changes in Arizona's approach to immigration enforcement. In November 2024, Arizona voters approved Proposition 314, allowing local police to arrest migrants suspected of illegally entering the state, although federal courts have halted similar efforts in other states, according to The Associated Press.
The Trump administration has also expanded immigration enforcement authority to multiple federal agencies. In January 2025, the Department of Homeland Security extended immigration authority to agencies in the Department of Justice, including the DEA and ATF, substantially increasing the federal resources available for immigration enforcement operations.
The intensification of immigration enforcement has generated both support and criticism. Critics argue that some tactics risk violating civil liberties and may result in the detention of U.S. citizens, pointing to recent incidents in Florida and Arizona where U.S. citizens were temporarily detained under immigration laws before their status could be verified, as reported by Florida Phoenix.
Legal Implications
The legal landscape around immigration enforcement remains complex and evolving. While the federal government maintains primary authority over immigration enforcement, states like Arizona have increasingly sought to play a more active role, creating potential jurisdictional conflicts and constitutional questions.
It's important to note that, as emphasized in the Department of Justice press release, criminal complaints and indictments are only allegations of wrongdoing. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
For those directly affected by immigration enforcement actions, legal experts recommend seeking qualified legal representation immediately, as immigration cases often involve complex intersections of criminal and administrative law with potentially severe consequences.
As Operation Take Back America continues, immigration enforcement statistics from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona show a significant increase compared to previous years. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, authorities brought charges against 2,113 individuals who illegally entered or re-entered the United States, according to the Department of Justice.
The current charges against 310 individuals represent an ongoing pattern of intensified enforcement that appears likely to continue throughout 2025 as part of the administration's stated priority to dramatically reduce illegal immigration.
