ICE Arrests Man Deported Twice Under 287(g) Program
A 60-year-old man from Mexico was arrested in Montgomery County, Texas, after allegedly shooting at his neighbors over Memorial Day weekend 2026. ICE says he had been deported twice before — and was only caught this time because local police participate in a special immigration enforcement program. His case shows exactly how local arrests can lead directly to deportation.
Over Memorial Day weekend 2026, local police in Montgomery County, Texas, arrested Juan Ayala Montero, a 60-year-old man from Mexico, after he allegedly opened fire on his neighbors. What made this arrest different: local officers were able to immediately check his immigration status and place an immigration detainer — a formal request to hold someone for ICE — because the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office participates in ICE's 287(g) program.
What Is the 287(g) Program?
The 287(g) program allows ICE to train and authorize local law enforcement officers to perform certain immigration enforcement duties. In practice, this means local police or sheriff's deputies can check a person's immigration status after an arrest and place an immigration detainer on them. A detainer asks the jail to hold the person so ICE can take custody, even if the person would otherwise be released on bond. ICE's acting Field Office Director for Houston, Gabriel Martinez, said the program helped prevent Ayala from being released back into the community.
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According to ICE, Ayala was ordered removed by an immigration judge on August 31, 1999, and was deported on August 30, 2000. He illegally reentered the US and was arrested again in Dallas on January 4, 2006. He was transferred to ICE custody and deported to Mexico that same day. He then reentered the US a third time on an unknown date. ICE says he has prior convictions for attempted homicide and criminal trespass while in the US without legal status.
This case is part of a broader push by ICE's Houston field office, which covers 56 counties across Southeast Texas. ICE says local partnerships like 287(g) are central to its enforcement strategy in the region. For immigrants living in counties that participate in this program, a local arrest — even for a minor issue — can quickly lead to removal proceedings (the official legal process to deport someone from the US).
What to Do If You or Someone You Know Faces an ICE Detainer
- Do not ignore a detainer. If a jail receives an ICE detainer on you, it means ICE wants to take you into custody. Contact an immigration lawyer as soon as possible — before any bond hearing.
- Know your right to a bond hearing. In many cases, people in removal proceedings may request an immigration bond hearing before an immigration judge. A lawyer can argue for your release while your case continues.
- Check if your county uses 287(g). ICE publishes a list of agencies that participate in the 287(g) program. If you live in a participating county, a local arrest — even without a conviction — can trigger immigration enforcement.
- If you have a prior deportation order, re-entering the US is a federal crime and can lead to fast-track removal without a full court hearing. Lawyers strongly recommend consulting an immigration attorney immediately if this applies to you.
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If ICE places a detainer on you after a local arrest, you still have the right to request a bond hearing before an immigration judge — do not assume you will be automatically deported. However, if you have a prior deportation order on record, re-entry is a federal felony and prosecutors can seek expedited removal, which bypasses a full immigration court hearing. Time is critical: the window to challenge a detainer or request bond is short, and having an attorney present at your first hearing can significantly affect the outcome. If this situation applies to you or someone you know, consult an immigration attorney as soon as possible.