NEW YORK — Over the weekend, U.S. officers arrested several people who were staying in the country illegally and had been convicted of serious crimes — and one of them was a Filipino man.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that a 29-year-old man from the Philippines was arrested in Middlesex, Massachusetts by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. He is one of at least 11 illegal aliens arrested during separate operations across the country.
But what made this arrest shocking were the crimes he was found guilty of.
Horrific Crimes
According to U.S. officials, the Filipino man was convicted of:
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Rape
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Aggravated rape of a child
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Rape of a child with force
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Four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14
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Two counts of indecent assault and battery on someone over 14
These are extremely serious and disturbing crimes, especially involving children.
U.S. Government Speaks Out
Tricia McLaughlin, an official from the Department of Homeland Security, said this is part of former President Donald Trump’s campaign to remove dangerous criminals who entered or stayed in the U.S. illegally.
“Over the weekend, our brave ICE agents arrested more depraved criminal illegal aliens, including murderers, rapists, and three child pedophiles,” she said.
“These are the types of barbaric criminals our officers are removing from American communities every day.”
Philippine Embassy Sends Strong Warning
After the news broke, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. also made a statement. Without naming specific people, they reminded Filipinos living or working in the U.S., including Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), that crimes like child abuse and pornography are taken very seriously under American law.
Their reminder came shortly after a separate news report said Filipino workers on a cruise ship were handcuffed and taken away by U.S. officers at the Port of Norfolk in Virginia for possible child-related crimes.
Embassy’s Message: Don’t Break U.S. Laws
In their official advisory, the embassy warned:
“Child pornography is one of the worst forms of child abuse. Just watching or keeping those kinds of materials means you’re helping spread this evil.”
They explained that in the U.S., it’s illegal to:
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Make
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Promote
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Keep
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Watch
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Send
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Share
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Or sell anything related to child pornography
Anyone caught doing these things can be punished, sent to jail, and deported back to their home country.
Embassy Offers Help—But Only to the Innocent
While the embassy gave a strong warning, they also promised to help any Filipino who believes they were wrongly accused.
“If you think you’re innocent or being wrongly charged, contact the Philippine Embassy or the nearest Philippine Consulate for help,” they said.
They emphasized that everyone has the right to defend themselves, especially if they believe they didn’t do anything wrong.
THE BIG PICTURE:
This arrest highlights a growing problem of serious crimes involving illegal immigrants, including Filipinos. It also shows how strict U.S. laws are when it comes to protecting children and punishing those who break the rules — no matter where they’re from.
It’s a warning, a reminder, and a wake-up call to always follow the laws of the country you’re in — and that one wrong move can destroy lives, futures, and reputations.
