ICE Arrests Guatemalan Man in LA for Child Abuse: Key Facts
If you are currently in removal proceedings or have a pending immigration case, contact an immigration lawyer or a nonprofit legal aid organization right away — do not wait. If you cannot afford a lawyer, search for accredited representatives through the Department of Justice's (DOJ) list of recognized organizations. Knowing your rights before any encounter with law enforcement can make a significant difference in your case.
What Happened
A California court sentenced Angel Emilio Rodriguez-Marroquin, a Guatemalan national living in the US without legal status, to 50 years in prison on May 18, 2026. He was convicted of producing and possessing child sexual abuse material. The victims included his 8-year-old nephew and his 8-year-old niece, who has special needs.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) — the division of ICE that investigates serious crimes — arrested Rodriguez-Marroquin on November 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. Agents from the HSI Los Angeles office made the arrest after he was charged with production and possession of child sexual abuse material. He later pleaded guilty to those charges.
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According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Rodriguez-Marroquin entered the US illegally in 2024 and was released into the country during the Biden administration. He is also the subject of a separate child exploitation investigation in Guatemala, which HSI is helping to lead.
What This Means for the Immigrant Community
This case is part of HSI's ongoing work to investigate serious crimes involving immigrants and non-immigrants alike. HSI investigates criminal activity — it is separate from the immigration enforcement operations that focus on civil immigration violations. However, people arrested by HSI can also face removal proceedings (the formal legal process to deport someone from the US) in addition to criminal charges.
What to do
- If you or someone you know has information about child exploitation, you can report it to HSI. You do not need to be a US citizen or have legal status to report a crime.
- If you are in removal proceedings — meaning the government has started the process to deport you — lawyers recommend contacting an immigration lawyer as soon as possible. Many nonprofit organizations offer free or low-cost legal help.
- If ICE contacts you or comes to your door, you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer before answering questions. Lawyers recommend not signing any documents without legal advice.
- If you are an asylum seeker or have a pending immigration case, this type of news can feel alarming. Your case is decided individually. Contact your immigration lawyer or accredited representative to understand how current enforcement priorities may affect you.