U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced the arrest of Ezequiel Cruz-Rodriguez, an illegal alien from Mexico with a history of serious criminal convictions and multiple prior deportations. Cruz-Rodriguez was apprehended in San Diego, California, where he was living in a home that also operated as a child daycare. The arrest highlights concerns about public safety and immigration enforcement.
Extensive Criminal History and Prior Removals
According to ICE, Ezequiel Cruz-Rodriguez has an extensive criminal record that includes convictions for sex offenses involving a child under 14, sexual battery, illegal possession of a firearm, driving under the influence, and robbery. His criminal behavior led to him being issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge. Records indicate he was removed from the United States on three separate occasions: August 23, 1996, October 28, 2003, and December 14, 2012. Following his last removal, Cruz-Rodriguez illegally re-entered the U.S. at an unspecified date.
Gang Affiliation and Daycare Proximity
ICE officials have identified Cruz-Rodriguez as a documented member of the Logan Heights gang. He was residing with his wife, who is a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The couple lived in a home where his wife operated an in-home daycare. The proximity of a convicted child sex offender and gang member to a facility caring for children has raised significant alarm among law enforcement and public safety officials.
A senior Department of Homeland Security official described the situation as “sickening,” emphasizing that the arrest prevents Cruz-Rodriguez from “preying on children inside a daycare.”
Investigation into Daycare Operations
The California Department of Social Services has reportedly launched an investigation into the daycare facility where Cruz-Rodriguez was living. State records indicate that during the last inspection in April 2023, the operator was informed of the requirement for any adult residing in the home to undergo a criminal background check. The nature of the daycare’s compliance with these regulations is now under scrutiny.
ICE’s Enforcement Stance
This arrest is part of broader immigration enforcement operations conducted by ICE. The agency regularly reports on the apprehension of criminal illegal aliens, including those with convictions for violent crimes, sex offenses, and gang involvement. ICE’s mission focuses on identifying and removing individuals who pose a threat to national security, border security, and public safety. The agency’s operations aim to uphold federal immigration laws and ensure the safety of American communities.
The news of this arrest underscores ongoing debates surrounding immigration policy and its intersection with community safety, particularly concerning vulnerable populations like children. ICE’s commitment to removing “the worst of the worst” is frequently cited in relation to such enforcement actions. The investigation into the daycare will likely shed further light on oversight mechanisms and potential violations of safety regulations.
