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August 4, 2025Kansas City, MO, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

Known Sureños gang member arrested by ICE Kansas City after repeated illegal entries

Mario Torrez-Lopez, 34, of Mexico, is a self-admitted member of the Sureños gang and has been deported from the United States four times — in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022. Despite these removals, Torrez-Lopez illegally returned each time and continued to engage in criminal behavior across multiple states. Mario Torrez-Lopez, 34, of Mexico, is a self-admitted member of the Sureños gang and has been deported from the United States four times — in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022. Despite these removals, Torrez-Lopez illegally returned each time and continued to engage in criminal behavior across multiple states. Mario Torrez-Lopez, 34, of Mexico, is a self-admitted member of the Sureños gang and has been deported from the United States four times — in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022. Despite these removals, Torrez-Lopez illegally returned each time and continued to engage in criminal behavior across multiple states.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Kansas City arrested a previously deported Mexican national with a long criminal record and confirmed gang ties following a targeted enforcement action July 20.

Mario Torrez-Lopez, 34, of Mexico, is a self-admitted member of the Sureños gang and has been deported from the United States four times — in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022. Despite these removals, Torrez-Lopez illegally returned each time and continued to engage in criminal behavior across multiple states.

“This individual repeatedly crossed the border, joined a violent gang while incarcerated, and built a track record of crime and disregard for the law,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Mark Zito. “He’s exactly the kind of threat we are determined to find, stop and remove from our communities.”

Torrez-Lopez’s previous order of removal has been reinstated. He will remain in ICE custody while awaiting his upcoming court appearances.

Torrez-Lopez’s criminal history spans over a decade and multiple states. He was first arrested in 2012 in Indianapolis for resisting arrest and illegally passing a school bus, resulting in felony and misdemeanor convictions. In 2017, after illegally entering the U.S., he was convicted and sentenced to 30 days in federal custody. Just one year later, in 2018, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for returning to the U.S. after removal. In 2020, he received a 21-month federal sentence for another illegal reentry and was placed on supervised release for three years. The supervision was later violated, and in 2022, he was ordered back to federal prison. Torrez-Lopez has admitted to joining the Sureños gang while incarcerated and has remained affiliated ever since.

The U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Kansas is handling the prosecution.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X at @HSIKansasCity.

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