Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were taken into custody on Thursday after authorities raided their home in New Mexico amid reports and court papers stating that an alleged Tren de Aragua gang member was arrested living in a building behind his home.
The footage shows Cano handcuffed, speaking to multiple FBI officers outside of what appears to be a residence.
His wife, who is also handcuffed, is later led toward a vehicle by Homeland Security personnel.
“Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang,” Noem wrote alongside the post. “If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up. That’s a promise.”
The couple was allegedly living with Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a Venezuelan illegal immigrant, at their home in Las Cruces, roughly 40 miles north of the U.S.–Mexico border.
The DOJ said Ortega-Lopez, who entered the U.S. illegally on Dec. 15, 2023, and was released pending removal proceedings, was charged with being an illegal immigrant in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
Court papers filed by federal prosecutors earlier in April, which sought to block the release of Ortega-Lopez, included the names Joel and Nancy Cano and said the suspect was living in their Las Cruces home at the time of the arrest. The papers did not provide an age, occupation, or other details about the Canos.
Exhibits that were shown in a federal courthouse in April included a social media photo of the suspect posing with the judge, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
Court documents state that Ortega-Lopez was hired by Nancy Cano to “install a glass door for her” and that he “continued to do a few jobs” for her after being evicted from an apartment in April 2024, at which point she offered him a place to stay at the back of the residence she shared with her husband.
The Epoch Times could not independently verify whether immigration officials arrested Ortega-Lopez at the former judge’s home. Two email accounts that appear to be associated with Cano did not return a request for comment on Thursday.
In its ruling, the court said Cano “shall never again hold, become a candidate for, run for, or stand for election to any New Mexico judicial office in the future.”
He must also never seek or accept a pro tempore position “for any New Mexico judicial office in the future,” which includes working as a judge in any municipal, probate, metropolitan, magistrate, district, or appeals court. Cano is also banned from working as a judge for the Supreme Court.
He “shall never again hold or exercise any judicial authority in the State of New Mexico,” which also includes “officiating at weddings,” according to the court order.
The Supreme Court did not state why he was leaving his position or why he was barred from being a judge in the state.
Cano, who had been a magistrate judge in Doña Ana County since 2011, resigned last month.
“Working with each of you has been a very rewarding experience for which I will remain eternally grateful,” he wrote. “All the best to everyone of you. I wish all of you a happy retirement once you are ready yourself.”
The Epoch Times reached out to the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.
