ICE detains repeat immigration violators in Seattle, Langley, and Portland operations

Seattle, Washington – In a series of targeted operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Seattle have detained five individuals with histories of illegal entries into the United States. These arrests, part of a broader federal law enforcement initiative, occurred in Washington and Oregon, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to enforce immigration laws and ensure public safety.

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On January 29, ICE agents apprehended two of the individuals. Fernando Nimacachi Matzar, a 51-year-old Guatemalan national, was arrested in Langley, Washington. Matzar, who has previous convictions for disorderly conduct and assault, had been deported to Guatemala twice before his latest capture. The same day, 40-year-old Olin Ranulfo Navarro-Valle from Honduras was taken into custody in Sheridan, Oregon. Navarro-Valle had previously faced conviction in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon for illegal reentry and had been deported to his native country.

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The enforcement actions continued on February 1, with three more arrests. Miguel Tomas-Antonio, a 30-year-old Guatemalan national, and Exequiel Quezada-Sanchez, a 56-year-old Mexican national, were both arrested in Ferndale, Washington. Both had previously been deported to their countries of origin. Additionally, Gilberto Francisco Lorenzo, 44, also from Guatemala, was arrested in Portland, Oregon. Lorenzo had been convicted by the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona for illegal reentry and had faced deportation previously.

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All five individuals are currently being held in ICE custody, awaiting removal proceedings. These operations highlight the coordinated efforts of federal law enforcement to address the challenge of repeat illegal entries by foreign nationals.

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ICE encourages members of the public to report any suspected immigration crimes or suspicious activities. Tips can be submitted by calling the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or by filling out the online tip form. Such community involvement is crucial for the effectiveness of ICE’s mission to uphold immigration laws and protect the nation’s security.