In further significant developments that provide additional support for MAGA Americans who are frustrated with the judiciary’s attempts to obstruct President Trump’s agenda through quickly overturned orders and rulings, a progressive Democrat judge in New Mexico has stepped down from his role following the arrest of an alleged member of the Tren de Aragua gang by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at his residence.
To provide context, President Trump has labeled Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization. He stated, “Tren de Aragua (TdA) is a recognized Foreign Terrorist Organization with thousands of members, many of whom have unlawfully infiltrated the United States and are engaging in irregular warfare and executing hostile actions against the United States,” in a proclamation made in mid-March.
He further elaborated, “TdA collaborates with Cártel de los Soles, a narco-terrorism organization backed by the Nicolas Maduro regime in Venezuela, and is responsible for heinous crimes such as murders, kidnappings, extortions, and trafficking in humans, drugs, and weapons. TdA has participated in and continues to facilitate mass illegal migration to the United States to advance its goals of endangering U.S. citizens, compromising public safety, and aiding the Maduro regime’s efforts to destabilize democratic nations across the Americas, including the United States.”
The arrested illegal immigrant was affiliated with Tren de Aragua. According to Border Hawk News, he was apprehended while attempting to enter the country near Eagle Pass, Texas, but was subsequently released on immigration parole due to overcrowding, and after his release, he resided with the Democrat judge.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that, according to court documents, he met Nancy Cano, the wife of Judge Cano, while working on construction and handyman tasks, and accepted her invitation to reside in a casita located behind her home. In April 2024, Ortega-Lopez submitted a request for immigration relief, indicating the Las Cruces address as his place of residence.
The judge in question is Judge Jose “Joel” Cano, who transitioned from being a police officer to a judge in 2011. As reported by Border Hawk News, he tendered his resignation letter on March 3, 2025, shortly after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso arrested the illegal alien gang member, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, at a residence in Las Cruces owned by Judge Cano, acting on an anonymous tip.
Wild Lyman, a reporter and founder of Border Hawk News, commented on the situation via X, stating, “Las Cruces, New Mexico: A magistrate judge from Doña Ana County has unexpectedly resigned amid suspicious circumstances and a potential link to an alleged Tren de Aragua affiliate.”
Lyman further elaborated, “As reported by @AlgernonWrites of the Albuquerque Journal on April 16, 2025, Judge Joel Cano submitted his resignation letter on March 3, 2025. (He has been on the bench since 2011.) Judge Cano confirmed to a source in Las Cruces that he did resign but refrained from providing additional comments. @BorderHawkNews reached out to the judge’s office on April 1, 2025, and a clerk informed them that he had ‘retired.'”
In a separate post, Lyman provided additional information regarding the apprehended illegal alien, stating, “ICE/HSI arrested Cristhian Ortega-Lopez at a property owned by Cano on February 28, 2025, following an anonymous tip. Ortega-Lopez unlawfully entered the United States on December 15, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas, and was released due to overcrowding at the Border Patrol Facility on December 18, 2023.
Continuing, Lyman stated, “He is a national of Venezuela, and authorities suspect that due to his tattoos, clothing, and hand gestures, he is associated with Tren de Aragua. Ortega-Lopez faces charges in a criminal complaint for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition.”
Subsequently, in another post, Lyman remarked, “An examination of Ortega-Lopez’s social media reveals him shooting at a local range and handling several firearms. The page also features images that seem to depict Judge Cano and Ortega-Lopez socializing, including Ortega-Lopez handing a long rifle to both Judge Cano and Nancy.” You can watch that video here:
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