ICE - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

01/10/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/10/2026 18:09

ICE arrests dozens of criminal illegal aliens convicted of murder, child rape and more in sanctuary state Minnesota

WASHINGTON - While ICE fights to remove the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens in Minnesota - including child rapists, murderers, and more - violent rioters and agitators are actively trying to protect these vicious criminals by interfering and obstructing ICE operations.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey are encouraging this behavior with their rhetoric of lawlessness, while their sanctuary policies continue to ensure that the worst of the worst criminal illegal alien offenders flock to their state in a vain attempt to escape justice.

"Regardless of staged political theatrics, ICE is going to continue to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens in Minnesota and elsewhere," said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. "Some of these criminal aliens have had final orders of removal for 30 years, but they've been free to terrorize Minnesotans. ICE's arrests prevent recidivism and make communities safer, but it feels like local politicians want to ignore that part and drum up discontent rather than protect their own constituents."

Below are the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens that our brave ICE officers arrested, despite the efforts of rioters and sanctuary politicians to protect them:

  • Hernan Cortes-Valencia, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico with a final order of removal dated Dec. 1, 2016, who's been convicted of sexual assault against a child, sexual assault-carnal abuse and four DUIs.
  • Sriudorn Phaivan, a criminal illegal alien from Laos with a final order of removal from March 8, 2018. He's been convicted of strongarm sodomy of a boy, strongarm sodomy of a girl, another aggravated sex offense, nine counts of larceny, unauthorized use of a vehicle, four counts of fraud, vehicle theft, two counts of drug possession, obstructing justice, possession of stolen property, receiving stolen property, burglary and check forgery. He also has pending charges for two counts of receiving stolen property, flight to avoid prosecution or confinement and burglary.
  • Ge Yang, a criminal illegal alien from Laos with a final order of removal from Oct. 16, 2012. He's been convicted of strongarm rape, strongarm aggravated assault against a family member, aggravated assault with a weapon, an additional sex offense and domestic violence involving strangulation.
  • Vannaleut Keomany, a criminal illegal alien from Laos with a final order of removal dated Dec. 17, 2009. He's been convicted of two counts of attempting to commit strongarm rape.
  • Tou Vang, a criminal illegal alien from Laos with a final order of removal dated Oct. 31, 2006. He's been convicted of sexual assault and sodomy of a girl under the age of 13 and procuring a child for prostitution.
  • Chong Vue, a criminal illegal alien from Laos with a final order of removal dated March 11, 2004. He's been convicted of strongarm rape of a 12-year-old girl, kidnapping a child with intent to sexually assault her, and vehicle theft.
  • Kou Lor, a criminal illegal alien from Laos with a final order of removal from Aug. 16, 1996. He's been convicted of sexual assault, rape, rape with a weapon, statutory rape without force, two counts of burglary and shoplifting.
  • Pao Choua Xiong, a criminal illegal alien from Laos with a final order of removal dated Jan. 10, 2003. He's been convicted of rape, fondling a child, two counts of domestic violence, burglary, larceny and disorderly conduct.
  • Gabriel Figueroa Gama, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico who was previously removed from the U.S. in 2002 and later convicted of homicide, battery, assault and amphetamine possession.
  • Abdirashid Adosh Elmi, a criminal illegal alien from Somalia who's been convicted of homicide.
  • Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed, a criminal illegal alien from Somalia with a final order of removal dated Feb. 18, 2022. He's been convicted of two counts of negligent manslaughter with a vehicle, two counts of DUI, larceny and damage to property.
  • Mongong Kual Maniang Deng, a criminal illegal alien from Sudan who's been convicted of attempt to commit homicide, weapon possession and DUI.
  • Aldrin Guerrero Munoz, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico with a final order of removal from Dec. 17, 2015. He's been convicted of homicide and assault.
  • Gilberto Salguero Landaverde, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador with a final order of removal dated June 25, 2025. He's been convicted of three counts of homicide.
  • Aler Gomez Lucas, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala with a final order of removal dated May 24, 2022. He's been convicted of negligent homicide with a vehicle and DUI.
  • Galuak Michael Rotgai, a criminal illegal alien from Sudan who's been convicted of homicide and assault.
  • Shwe Htoo, a criminal illegal alien from Burma who's been convicted of negligent homicide with a weapon.
  • Mariama Sia Kanu, a criminal illegal alien from Sierra Leone with a final order of removal from July 5, 2022. She's been convicted of two counts of homicide, four DUIs, three counts of larceny and burglary.
  • Thai Lor, a criminal illegal alien from Laos with a final order of removal from June 15, 2009. He's been convicted of two counts of homicide.

You can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE's public safety mission on X at @ICEgov.

ICE - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement published this content on January 10, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 11, 2026 at 00:09 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]