HOUSTON, TX – Immigration officials in Houston have described the case of Humberto Romero Avila as one of the most severe repeat offender situations they have encountered. Avila, a suspected gang member wanted for murder in Mexico, has reportedly crossed into the United States illegally 10 times, highlighting ongoing challenges in border security and immigration enforcement.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been monitoring Avila’s movements over the past two decades. Recently, images surfaced of ICE officers handing Avila over to Mexican authorities, potentially marking the end of his illegal crossings. Since 2002, Avila has repeatedly entered the U.S. without authorization, with multiple apprehensions and deportations recorded.
In 2002, Avila was apprehended and deported four times, and once more in 2005. His persistent illegal entries continued, with a notable arrest in 2012 in Nacogdoches County for driving while intoxicated (DWI). Following this incident, he was deported again but re-entered the U.S. in 2013, only to be arrested for another DWI in Shelby County.
By early 2014, Avila was back in the U.S. illegally for the eighth time, but was quickly returned to Mexico. A subsequent illegal entry led to his prosecution and a 150-day jail sentence. Although the details of his tenth entry remain unclear, ICE flagged Avila last March after his fourth DWI arrest, again in Shelby County.
During deportation processing, ICE learned from the U.S. embassy in Mexico that Avila was wanted for a 2007 murder and was associated with the Pisces gang. This revelation underscored the gravity of the case and the risks associated with repeat offenders.
The head of Houston’s ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations expressed shock at Avila’s case, citing it as a prime example of the critical role of immigration enforcement in safeguarding public safety. This sentiment reflects broader concerns about the effectiveness of current immigration policies.
In response to Avila’s situation, a Houston-based nonprofit immigration rights group, Fiel, which typically opposes mass deportations, acknowledged that individuals like Avila should indeed be a priority for ICE. The group emphasized the importance of focusing enforcement efforts on those who pose significant threats to public safety.
This case continues to stir debate on the balance between immigration enforcement and civil rights, highlighting the complexity of managing border security in an era of heightened scrutiny and political division.