Even as the Democrats’ government shutdown drags on in Washington, federal law enforcement officers in Texas are still doing their jobs — without pay — to protect American communities. Over the holiday weekend, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a series of arrests across Texas targeting what officials described as “the worst of the worst” criminal illegal aliens.
According to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press release issued October 14, 2025, ICE officers continued operations throughout the shutdown, apprehending repeat offenders and violent criminals across the Lone Star State. The arrests occurred in multiple Texas cities including San Antonio, Waco, Austin, Georgetown, and Brackettville.
“While many Americans enjoyed the holiday weekend, our brave law enforcement worked without pay because of the Democrats’ government shutdown and continued to arrest the worst of the worst criminals—risking their lives to arrest murderers, pedophiles, and other serial criminals,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
“We will not allow a government shutdown to stop us from making America safe again.”
Among those arrested in Texas were several repeat offenders, each with serious criminal histories:
- Yuliana Fernandez-Ledezma, a Venezuelan national, was arrested in San Antonio. She has been convicted of abandoning or endangering a child, a crime that put a minor’s life in danger.
- Gregoria Salaz-Beltran, a Mexican national, was taken into custody after multiple convictions in both San Antonio and Waco. Her record includes four DWIs and two convictions for kill/poison/serious bodily injury animal cruelty.
- Ruth Gonzalez-Salazar, also from Mexico, was arrested in Brackettville for smuggling aliens, contributing to the ongoing border security crisis in South Texas.
- Omar Andrade-Galvez, a Honduran national, was apprehended in Austin, convicted of unlawful restraint—a serious offense involving the restriction of another person’s freedom.
- Mario Godinez-Lopez, another criminal illegal alien from Mexico, was arrested in Georgetown following a conviction for theft of property.
Each of these individuals had previously been convicted in U.S. courts and were identified as priorities for removal due to their threat to public safety. ICE referred to the group as part of a nationwide effort to locate and detain criminal aliens who continue to reoffend while in the country unlawfully.
Texas Communities Breathe Easier
Local residents across Central and South Texas are expressing relief that these dangerous individuals are now off the streets. The arrests highlight the daily risks ICE officers take—often under political pressure and, in this case, without pay due to the ongoing shutdown.
Critics of the Biden administration have long argued that lax border policies and the failure to secure the southern border have allowed repeat offenders to slip through the cracks, endangering Texas families. The recent arrests show that, despite federal dysfunction in Washington, frontline law enforcement continues to fulfill its mission.
Shutdown Politics, Real-World Consequences
The current government shutdown—sparked by Democrat opposition to a clean spending bill—has left federal employees without pay, including ICE agents and Border Patrol officers. Yet, despite political gridlock, enforcement operations have not ceased. DHS officials emphasized that agents remain committed to national security and community safety, even as many face uncertainty over when they’ll next receive a paycheck.
In many Texas communities, especially along the I-35 and I-10 corridors, illegal immigration remains a top public concern. The presence of repeat offenders—often released under sanctuary or lenient policies—has fueled growing frustration among citizens who see law enforcement as the last line of defense.
Protecting Texas Despite Washington’s Inaction
ICE’s continued success in arresting criminal aliens sends a clear message: Texas will not wait for Washington to act. The agency’s determination during a federal shutdown underscores what many Texans already know—public safety is not a partisan issue, but the consequences of inaction are political.
The DHS statement concluded with a firm reminder that border enforcement is a 24/7 mission.
“We will not allow a government shutdown to stop us from making America safe again,” McLaughlin reiterated.
For now, at least, Texans can rest a little easier knowing that these violent and repeat offenders are behind bars, thanks to the perseverance of federal agents who continue to do their jobs—paycheck or not.