Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Roberts Nemiro, a Latvian national and former contestant on Latvia's adaptation of the British television series "Dancing with the Stars," in San Francisco on Tuesday, July 29th, 2026, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Nemiro entered the United States on a visa in October 2011 but remained in the country after the visa expired in August 2012. He is now in removal proceedings for overstaying his visa.

DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated, "This illegal alien from Latvia may have once had a career as a professional dancer on TV, but has turned into a career criminal with a rap sheet that includes aggravated assault with a gun, sexual battery, and drug possession."

Despite California being a sanctuary state, ICE successfully arrested Nemiro and plans to deport him. ICE described this action as "bringing the curtain down on his illegal stay and crime spree here in the U.S."

Separately, ICE also arrested Giovana Mercedes Moreno Ochompy, a former Illinois high school teacher and illegal immigrant, in connection with a triple murder involving the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang. Chicago police initially released her due to sanctuary city policies without notifying ICE, a practice criticized by former acting ICE director Tom Homan for hindering federal law enforcement and public safety.

Sources