Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Texas have charged 401 individuals with border-related offenses as part of intensified security efforts. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the final weeks of 2025 saw charges including human smuggling, illegal entry, and reentry after removal. Many of those charged reportedly have prior felony convictions, including for narcotics and violent crimes, the Department of Justice statement said.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei emphasized that the district’s priority is maintaining public safety and border integrity. The recent arrests reflect efforts not only to enforce border laws but also to target and dismantle transnational criminal organizations. Central to these efforts is Operation Take Back America, a DOJ-led initiative aimed at curbing illegal immigration and removing criminal elements, including cartels, from U.S. territory.
Among those reapprehended are individuals with prior criminal histories, including men from Mexico, Honduras, and Cuba. Complaints cite cases such as Cuban national Armando David Naranjo-Alemany and Honduran national Melvin Antonio Ramos-Avila, both removed from the U.S. in November 2025 and later found back in Texas. If convicted, the accused could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
These enforcement efforts involve a coalition of federal agencies, including ICE, Border Patrol, and the DEA, working alongside state and local partners. The Southern District of Texas, one of the busiest federal jurisdictions, spans 43 counties and serves over nine million people, providing a broad platform for these ongoing border security and public safety operations.
Attorneys across seven divisions in the Southern District of Texas are coordinating with law enforcement to prosecute cases under the Operation Take Back America initiative. From December 19 through yesterday, 399 cases were recorded, highlighting a surge in border-related prosecutions at the close of 2025.
