Honduran National Taken into Custody by ICE Following North Carolina Conviction
Hector Gamez-Perdomo, a Honduran national, has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations following a criminal conviction in Vance County, North Carolina. Authorities confirmed that Gamez-Perdomo was convicted of breaking and entering, a charge that triggered his prioritization for arrest and removal by federal agents.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) publicized the arrest on February 4, 2026, including Gamez-Perdomo in a list of individuals apprehended during recent enforcement sweeps. The agency officially designated him as a “criminal illegal alien,” a term used by federal law enforcement to categorize non-citizens who have violated both immigration statutes and criminal laws.
Breaking and entering in North Carolina is defined as the unlawful entry into a building with the intent to commit a felony or larceny. Depending on the specific circumstances—such as whether the building was occupied or if the entry occurred at night—the offense can carry significant legal penalties. Convictions for such property crimes frequently result in the revocation of any prior legal standing and immediate deportation proceedings for non-citizens.
The arrest is part of an intensified initiative by the DHS to increase transparency regarding interior enforcement operations. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that these operations are critical for maintaining community safety and that the agency is committed to removing individuals who have disregarded U.S. laws.
While federal authorities emphasize the public safety necessity of these targeted arrests, legal observers often note the distinction between violent offenses and property crimes in the context of immigration enforcement. Enforcement advocates argue that any violation of criminal law by a foreign national warrants removal, whereas immigrant rights groups frequently raise concerns regarding the broad categorization of offenses in public releases. Gamez-Perdomo remains in federal custody awaiting repatriation to Honduras.
dhs.gov
