Federal authorities have arrested former New Mexico Magistrate Judge Jose “Joel” Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, after uncovering that the pair allegedly sheltered a suspected member of the notorious Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang at their property.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents took the Canos into custody at their home in Las Cruces following a months-long investigation. Both now face serious federal charges, including tampering with evidence and harboring an illegal alien involved with a designated foreign terrorist organization.
The case stems from a February raid where 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, was discovered living in the Canos’ guesthouse. Ortega-Lopez had previously been detained by Border Patrol near Eagle Pass, Texas, but was released due to overcrowding—a policy failure that has become all too common under Biden-era border mismanagement.
After his release, Ortega-Lopez reportedly met Nancy Cano in El Paso, who offered him a place to stay. Federal authorities later identified Ortega-Lopez as an alleged member of Tren de Aragua, a violent transnational gang responsible for human trafficking, extortion, kidnappings, and violent crime across the Americas. President Trump’s administration officially designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization earlier this year.
Law enforcement recovered damning evidence during the investigation, including photographs of Ortega-Lopez posing with firearms and flashing gang-affiliated tattoos. He has since been charged with being an unlawful alien in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Following the scandal, the New Mexico Supreme Court swiftly accepted Joel Cano’s resignation and banned him from ever holding judicial office again within the state.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem weighed in forcefully, highlighting the broader stakes. “Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 illegal aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang,” Noem said. “If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and lock you up. That’s a promise.”
The Canos are currently being held at the Doña Ana County Jail and are awaiting their first federal court appearance.
This explosive case serves as yet another reminder of the dangerous consequences of unchecked illegal immigration, activist judges ignoring their oath, and the Biden administration’s failure to secure the border. Thankfully, under President Trump’s leadership, law and order is being restored.