Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested on Thursday, April 24, for allegedly harboring an undocumented migrant believed to be a member of a dangerous gang.
The arrest has stirred public reaction, especially from U.S. tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has openly criticized the incident as a reflection of deeper issues within the justice system.
The couple is accused of giving shelter to Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a migrant reportedly linked to Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua gang.
He was said to be living in the guesthouse of the Canos’ home.
Authorities claimed gang-related items such as clothing, tattoos, and digital messages were discovered during their investigation.
Reacting to the news via his X platform (formerly Twitter), Elon Musk did not hold back.
“This is a ridiculously obvious case of judicial corruption,” he stated. “The vast majority of judicial corruption is just as severe, but not as obvious.”
Although cases like this one gain attention due to public figures, experts say many similar issues are hidden and go unchallenged.
Furthermore, court documents show that Ortega-Lopez entered the U.S. illegally on December 15, 2023, through Eagle Pass, Texas.
Reports claim he was first hired by Nancy Cano for home repairs and later allowed to stay on the property.
Meanwhile, authorities have emphasized their commitment to enforcing immigration laws.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that efforts under President Trump have led to the arrest of thousands of illegal migrants.
“Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 illegal aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang,” Noem stated.
“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 Canos now face serious legal consequences, including charges related to tampering with evidence.
Moreover, Musk’s comments have sparked conversations online about the urgent need to expose and fix flaws in the system.
