ICE arrests 3 criminal illegal aliens from Guatemala after Tennessee identity theft investigation
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. / September 10, 2026 — ICE New Orleans arrested three illegal aliens — two with existing criminal histories — from Guatemala Aug. 4 through an identity theft investigation. The arrests were related to an investigation into alleged fraudulent use of stolen identities and Social Security numbers.
ICE officers arrested Magdalena Gomez-Garcia, Elias Gomez-Garcia and Eulalia Ordonez-Carmelo, all of whom had final orders of removal from the U.S.
According to the investigation, Magdalena Gomez-Garcia allegedly stole the identity of a victim, now living in New York, to work for a local employer beginning in February 2026. As a result, wages were reportedly attributed to the true number holder, requiring the victim to repeatedly contact officials to have the incorrectly reported earnings removed from her record.
“These crimes have real victims,” said ICE New Orleans acting Field Office Director Scott Ladwig. “Fraudulent documents and stolen identities can cause lasting harm to victims, workers and businesses. I commend our officers and partners for their work to hold offenders accountable and protect our communities.”
The three criminal illegal aliens have a history of immigration encounters dating back to 2009.
Magdalena Gomez-Garcia was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol near San Luis, Arizona, Jul. 10, 2018, and issued a notice to appear. On April 24, 2019, an immigration judge issued a final order of removal in absentia.
Elias Gomez-Garcia was initially removed in 2009 and was later removed from the United States twice, in 2011 and 2018. His criminal history includes several local arrests for traffic offenses in Kentucky and South Carolina.
Ordonez-Carmelo unlawfully entered the United States and was encountered near the Rio Grande Valley in 2022. She was issued a Notice to Appear and released on her own recognizance. An immigration judge ordered Ordonez removed from the United States on Feb. 27, 2023.
Additional charges may be forthcoming.
Members of the public can report immigration-related crimes or suspicious activity to ICE anonymously through this form or by calling the toll-free ICE Tip Line at (866) 347-2423.
Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, the message is clear: If you come into our country illegally and break our laws, we will find you, we will arrest you, and we will deport you.
Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)
