Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem isn’t shying away from front-line action during deportation raids ordered by President Donald Trump.
Tuesday morning, Noem led around 100 federal agents in a pre-dawn operation in Arizona’s capital, where three illegal migrants were apprehended on charges ranging from weapons and drug offenses to operating a money laundering ring.
The New York Post was on the scene as Noem deftly dodged a kick from one suspect wearing slip-on shoes, quipping, “You’re not scaring me with your Croc.”
The multi-agency task force—led by Phoenix Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and supported by a coalition of federal law enforcement and immigration agencies—apprehended three illegal immigrant felons with lengthy criminal records, The Post reported.
Dressed in full tactical gear, including a flak jacket and her signature two-tone gold Rolex, Noem met with agents from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration in a dimly lit underground parking garage. She shook hands with officers, thanked them for their service, and pledged to secure the resources they need to strengthen their operations.
“The effort of cooperation we have between agencies is getting turned onto steroids. We have this being multiplied across the country exponentially, now anyone who’s in this country illegally that’s committing crimes and has broken our laws will face consequences,” Noem told The Post.
“We’ll be sweeping them up faster than we ever have before,” she added.
Agents received a detailed briefing on the day’s targets before a convoy of a dozen vehicles rolled out—led by Noem behind the wheel of a BearCat armored SWAT vehicle.
Riding alongside Noem was former Trump campaign manager and senior adviser Corey Lewandowski, who introduced himself to federal agents as “chief of staff.” A DHS official later clarified that Lewandowski serves as an adviser to the department and holds the status of a special government employee.
The first arrest of the day was Bonifacio Renteria-Cruz, an illegal immigrant from Mexico with alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, according to DHS. His extensive criminal record includes convictions for aggravated assault, weapons offenses, and an active arrest warrant in Mexico for homicide. Renteria-Cruz had previously been ordered removed by an immigration judge in 2008, according to The Post.
Next on the task force’s list was Jose Escobar-Robles, an illegal immigrant suspected of helping operate Monroy Enterprises—a money service business allegedly used to funnel illicit funds to Mexico in support of cartels involved in drug smuggling and human trafficking, the outlet said.
After being handcuffed and placed in the back of a police vehicle, Escobar-Robles attempted to shield his face from cameras by lifting a Croc shoe, while imploring agents, “Let’s go, let’s go.” Noem, undeterred, asked him calmly whether he had any family as the arrest unfolded.
“You’re gonna go — you’re gonna go home, and you’re gonna get prosecuted,” Noem said, adding, “You’re not scaring me with your Croc.”
The final suspect apprehended in the raids was Luis Garcia-Sanchez, who is allegedly tied to the notorious 18th Street Gang. According to DHS, he was wanted on felony narcotics charges dating back to 1987 and had been ordered removed from the U.S. twice.
When agents arrived with the warrant, Garcia-Sanchez was barefoot and surrounded by a strong odor of marijuana. His wife fetched his shoes before officers placed him in a waiting police vehicle.
As he was led away in handcuffs, the 61-year-old told The Post that he was no longer affiliated with the Los Angeles-based gang and emphasized that he is now a grandfather.
He told Noem from the back of a squad car, sounding somewhat remorseful, that he has three children and did not want them to live the gangbanger lifestyle like their father.
The DHS chief responded: “Go deal with the consequences of breaking the law here. Give them an example of being a better person.”