U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Buffalo announced the arrest of a 27-year-old convicted attempted murderer from El Salvador as part of its “Worst of the Worst” enforcement initiative.
ICE – Buffalo officers apprehended Miguel Antonio Urias Argueta, a Salvadoran national, on November 17, 2025, following his release from New York state custody. Argueta was previously convicted in Nassau County for attempted murder, attempted assault, criminal use of a firearm, and criminal possession of a weapon. He received a 15-year prison sentence before being transferred to ICE for immigration violations. His arrest was publicized under the agency’s “Worst of the Worst” program, which prioritizes noncitizens convicted of violent crimes for removal from the United States to enhance public safety.
According to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), in fiscal year 2024, officers arrested over 4,000 noncitizens convicted of violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, and aggravated assault. The “Worst of the Worst” initiative focuses on offenders with histories of weapons or gang-related violence as priority cases for removal.
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services reported an 8% increase in firearm-related violent crimes between 2020 and 2024. Long Island counties like Nassau and Suffolk experienced higher rates of gun-involved assaults and attempted murders compared to the state average. Coordinated federal-local enforcement efforts have targeted repeat violent offenders upon their release.
ICE was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C., operating under the Department of Homeland Security. It enforces immigration laws, combats transnational crime, and removes individuals who pose threats to national and community safety. The Buffalo Field Office manages operations in upstate New York and parts of Pennsylvania, working with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies through initiatives such as “Operation Cross Check” and “Worst of the Worst.”
