Filipino arrested by ICE in Las Vegas faces child sex assault charges
A 52-year-old Filipino national has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Las Vegas, facing four counts of sexual assault of a child under 14, marking the third such arrest of a Filipino national in the city in recent months.
Details of the arrest
Allan Reyes Aumentado, who entered the United States in 2003 on an F24 visa, was out on bail at the time of his arrest by federal immigration agents. He is currently being held at the Nevada Southern Detention Center while authorities have initiated visa revocation and deportation proceedings against him.
The arrest adds to a growing list of Filipino nationals detained by ICE in Las Vegas for serious criminal offenses. Previously, federal agents apprehended Sonny Lasquite, who was convicted of drug-related offenses, and Wilbert Maldecino, who was convicted of attempted lewdness with a child.
Broader enforcement patterns
The arrests in Las Vegas reflect a wider pattern of ICE enforcement operations targeting foreign nationals with criminal convictions across Nevada. Recent operations have shown the agency’s focus on individuals convicted of serious crimes, particularly those involving children.
According to ICE data from various Nevada operations:
- An operation in 2025 resulted in 87 arrests, including 20 individuals with prior felony convictions
- Past arrestees included a 57-year-old Mexican national convicted of lewdness with a child under 14
- A 42-year-old Salvadoran national with convictions for statutory sexual seduction
- Multiple individuals with drug trafficking and weapons violations
ICE has emphasized that these operations primarily target Priority 1 enforcement priorities, which include threats to national security, criminal street gang members, convicted felons, and aggravated felons.
Philippine Consulate response
The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, which has jurisdiction over Nevada, has not issued a public statement regarding the status of Filipinos detained in the state. This silence comes despite growing concerns within the Filipino-American community about immigration enforcement.
The consulate has, however, been active in other jurisdictions. In California, consular officials have provided assistance to detained Filipino nationals, including legal and financial support through their Assistance to Nationals program. The consulate has emphasized its commitment to helping Filipino citizens regardless of their immigration status while respecting U.S. laws.
Nationwide context for Filipino detainees
The Las Vegas arrests occur against a backdrop of increased scrutiny of Filipino nationals across the United States. In New York, Consul General Senen Mangalile confirmed that two Filipinos with prior convictions are being closely monitored by U.S. authorities and are awaiting deportation back to the Philippines.
Mangalile has advised Filipinos who cannot secure legal status in the U.S. to consider returning to the Philippines voluntarily, highlighting the challenging immigration environment many face.
Recent high-profile cases have included:
- Lewelyn Dixon, 64, detained after 50 years in the U.S. due to past convictions
- Maximo Londonio, detained at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport despite being a green card holder
- Multiple Filipino nationals arrested during large-scale operations in Los Angeles
Legal implications and community concerns
Immigration attorneys note that even lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can face deportation for certain criminal convictions, particularly those classified as “crimes involving moral turpitude” or aggravated felonies under U.S. immigration law.
The Immigration and Nationality Act provides broad authority for immigration officials to detain and initiate removal proceedings against non-citizens with criminal convictions, regardless of how long they have resided in the United States or their family ties to the country.
ICE enforcement priorities
ICE officials have stated that their enforcement priorities focus on public safety threats and individuals with criminal histories. In Nevada, recent operations have particularly targeted:
- Individuals with convictions for crimes against children
- Drug traffickers and gang members
- Those who have illegally re-entered after previous deportations
- Individuals with outstanding removal orders
The agency conducts these operations as part of what it describes as routine enforcement activities aimed at protecting communities from individuals who pose public safety risks.
Looking ahead
As ICE continues its enforcement operations in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada, the Filipino-American community remains concerned about the fate of detained nationals. Community organizations and advocacy groups have called for transparency in the deportation process and access to legal representation for those facing removal proceedings.
For now, Allan Reyes Aumentado and others detained await their hearings before immigration judges, where their cases will be adjudicated according to U.S. immigration law. The outcomes of these cases will likely influence how the Filipino community in Nevada navigates an increasingly complex immigration landscape.
Image Sources: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-removes-suspected-filipino-human-rights-violator-captured-bay-area
Category: Local News
Subcategory: Immigration & Courts
Date: 08/20/2025
