(The Center Square)–U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Houston arrested nearly 3,600 illegal foreign nationals during the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.
From Oct. 1 through Nov. 12, they arrested 3,593 foreign nationals with extensive criminal histories.
Among them were 67 sex offenders, 51 child predators, 13 murderers, 10 wanted fugitives and 23 gang members, including an MS-13 gang member who after he was released into the U.S. by the Biden administration allegedly committed a triple homicide in Dallas.
Their combined criminal convictions include DWIs (366), aggravated assault (261), burglary or theft (103), weapons offenses (46), aggravated kidnapping, drug and human trafficking and smuggling, making terroristic threats, evading and resisting arrest, prostitution, hit-and-run, bribery, auto theft, forgery, falsifying documents, trespassing, arson, violent sexual assaults, multiple aggravated child sex crimes, among others.
Many were previously deported multiple times and illegally reentered the U.S. multiple times, ICE said.
“Our entire team understands how critical ICE’s mission is to public safety and national security, and despite many of them going without pay, they continued to show up every day and give everything they had to protect this community from dangerous criminal illegal alien gang members, child predators, murderers and rapists,” ICE Enforcement and Removal Operation Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford said. “As a result of those efforts, 51 dangerous child predators are no longer free to prey on our children, 10 fugitives have been apprehended and will now face justice for their alleged offenses, and thousands of other violent criminal aliens have been removed from local communities throughout Southeast Texas and will be removed from the United States.”
ICE highlighted examples of the worst offenders, including a Honduran national and MS-13 gang member who was released into the U.S. by the Biden administration. Once in the U.S., he allegedly committed a triple homicide in Dallas County last April.
Another MS-13 gang member was arrested after illegally entering the U.S. eight times. His convictions include alien smuggling and illegal entry.
ICE highlighted examples of Biden administration policies that allowed criminals to remain in the U.S. instead of being deported.
In one case, ICE officers encountered a Mexican national and twice deported convicted rapist in September 2023, but “were unable to take him into custody or remove him from the country” because of a directive issued by former Acting ICE director Tae Johnson, ICE said. Johnson’s directive ordered ICE officers not to enforce federal immigration law prompting Texas sheriffs and the Federal Police Foundation to sue, The Center Square reported.
The policy prevented his deportation and he “went on to rape and assault a woman just one month later,” ICE said. He was convicted of sexual assault and aggravated assault last August. His criminal history includes convictions for drug possession, obstructing law enforcement, DWI and making false statements to law enforcement.
In another case, a Mexican national and convicted child predator who was previously deported four times was arrested by Edinburg Police officers in south Texas, “but no action was taken” by ICE because of the policy, ICE said. As a result, he remained in the U.S. illegally “and would go on to prey on an innocent child leading to his conviction for sexual indecency with a child” in January, ICE said. ICE has since deported him.
In another case, after a Mexican national illegally entered the U.S., the Biden administration released him and he went on to “prey on an innocent child and was convicted of sexual indecency with a child” in May 2022, ICE said. ICE has since deported him.
In another case, a Mexican national and child predator who illegally entered the U.S. seven times wasn’t deported. His convictions include multiple child sex crimes, aggravated assault with a weapon, and illegal entry. He has since been deported.
Examples of fugitives ICE arrested include a previously deported Mexican national wanted for homicide in Harris County; a Venezuelan who illegally entered the U.S. and was granted parole by the Biden administration and went on to illegally practice dentistry in Harris County; Honduran men wanted for homicide by Honduran officials, among others.
ICE is also encouraging members of the public to report crime and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing an online tip form.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.