Former Magistrate Judge Arrested in New Mexico

In a significant development from New Mexico, former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were apprehended on Thursday. Their arrest followed an FBI operation at their residence, which was under suspicion for harboring an illegal immigrant linked to gang activities.

Details of the Allegations

Joel Cano had previously resigned from his judicial position last month. Subsequently, the state Supreme Court took a decisive action on Tuesday, permanently prohibiting him from holding any judicial office in New Mexico. This decision came in light of allegations that he and his wife provided shelter to an illegal migrant suspected to be part of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua.

Charges and Investigations

The couple is now facing potential charges of evidence tampering. This follows the arrest of Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, the migrant in question, who was taken into custody at their home in February. Reports indicate that Nancy Cano had employed Ortega-Lopez for home repairs and had also offered him accommodation.

Government’s Stance on Illegal Immigration

Highlighting the government’s strict policy on illegal immigration, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated, “Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang. If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and lock you up. That’s a promise.”

Implications of the FBI Raid

The FBI’s raid on the Cano residence reportedly led to the discovery of evidence linking Ortega-Lopez to the Tren de Aragua gang, further implicating the Canos in the ongoing investigation.