Another Judge Resigns Following Arrest of Migrant
New Mexico magistrate judge Joel Cano resigned after Venezuelan migrant Cristhian Ortega-Lopez was arrested for alleged links to the Tren de Aragua gang. Ortega-Lopez was caught as part of a Homeland Security probe that uncovered his illegal entry into the U.S. and possession of firearms. Ortega-Lopez was arrested during a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operation in early 2024.
A federal raid targeted Cano’s home, revealing he allegedly allowed undocumented immigrants, including a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member, to live on his property. Authorities say Cano’s actions allegedly allowed access to firearms. Cano’s resignation comes as several other justices have also stepped down in 2025 before being permanently barred from judicial office.
Cano wrote, “Working with each of you has been a very rewarding experience for which I will
remain eternally grateful. All the best to everyone of you. I wish all of you a happy retirement once you are ready yourself.”
Legal Expert John Day said, “A judge is supposed to avoid any appearance of any kind of impropriety. So, you have a situation here, and the question is going to be, what did the judge know and when did he know it? How much do you know about the background of the defendant?”
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