PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from Feb. 14 through Feb. 20, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 179 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 112 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 53 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 13 cases against 14 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), ICE- Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Recent matters of interest include:
United States v. Kevin Salguero-Chacon . Salguero-Chacon was charged by complaint with Transportation of an Illegal Alien, Feb. 19, 2026. An Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper observed Salguero-Chacon driving on I-10 westbound. The trooper conducted a vehicle registration check, which confirmed that the car’s registration was expired, and the trooper initiated a traffic stop. The trooper observed Salguero-Chacon in the driver’s seat and several individuals dressed in camouflage lying in the vehicle’s rear cargo area. Border Patrol agents arrived and observed seven passengers inside the vehicle, including two juveniles. Immigration checks confirmed that the seven passengers in the vehicle are citizens of Mexico, unlawfully present in the United States, and that Salguero-Chacon is a citizen of Guatemala. 26-8062MJ, Phoenix.
United States v. Joel Portillo-Saucedo . Portillo-Saucedo was charged by complaint with Bringing in Illegal Aliens and Re-entry of Removed Alien, Feb. 17, 2026. A Border Patrol agent observed four individuals traveling northbound to I-8, near mile marker 100. The agent encountered the four individuals concealed under large bushes, and upon identifying himself as a Border Patrol agent, two of the individuals fled but were ultimately apprehended. It was found that Portillo-Saucedo acted as the foot guide for the group, receiving $1,000 USD for each illegal alien. The three individuals and Portillo-Saucedo are citizens of Mexico, unlawfully present in the United States. 26-01116MJ, Phoenix.
United States v. Armando Gomez-Talavera . Gomez-Talavera was charged by complaint with Transportation of Illegal Aliens for Profit, Feb. 17, 2026. On Feb. 16, 2026, Border Patrol agents were notified that there was a blue Ford F150 suspected of loading illegal aliens near the border. Agents attempted to stop the vehicle to conduct an immigration inspection, but the truck failed to yield. The agents were later able to locate the vehicle and utilized a Vehicle Immobilization Device (VID) to immobilize the truck. Although the truck had two flat tires due to the deployment of the VID, the driver continued to try to evade the agents. The truck eventually came to a stop and all occupants fled on foot. Border Patrol agents searched the area and apprehended the driver, Gomez-Talavera, and five other subjects, who are citizens and nationals of Mexico, unlawfully present in the United States. 26-07212, Tucson.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-037_February 20 Immigration Enforcement
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Arizona — U.S. Department of Justice press release.