A Democrat judge in New Mexico has resigned after authorities found an alleged member of the violent Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela living in his home, and now the state Supreme Court has ruled he’ll never be a judge again.

And can never be a candidate for a judicial office. And can never exercise any judicial authority Not even officiate at weddings.

A Fox News report confirms that order has come from the high court in the case of Joel Cano.

Cano, the ruling said, “can never hold a judicial office again, be a candidate for a judicial office, and cannot exercise any judicial authority in the state, including officiating at weddings,” according to an official for the state court system.The justices had been scheduled to hear evidence in disciplinary action against Cano, but with the order the case was ended and the hearing was canceled.

WND had reported earlier on the discovery of the alleged gang member.

🚨Update: New Mexico Judge Joel Cano quits after Homeland Security finds an Tren de Aragua gang member living with him!! — armed, tatted, using his address!!

Homeland Security also uncovered suspected cartel-linked items and weapons! pic.twitter.com/l9UnDGcZnh

— US Homeland Security News (@defense_civil25) April 21, 2025

NEW: Democrat Judge from New Mexico Abruptly Resigns After Suspected Tren de Aragua Gang Member Is Arrested for Firearm Possession at His Residence

Judge Jose “Joel” Cano reportedly submitted a letter of resignation in March.

In February, HSI Venezuelan national El Paso… pic.twitter.com/w0QG5WW5mm

— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) April 19, 2025

BREAKING: DEMOCRAT NEW MEXICO JUDGE RESIGNS AFTER HOMELAND SECURITY ARRESTS TREN DE ARAGUA DESIGNATED TERRORIST LIVING AT JUDGE’S HOME!
The Longtime Doña Ana County Judge Joel Cano, A Democrat Has Abruptly Resigned After Federal Agents Arrested Alleged Violent Venezuelan Tren De… pic.twitter.com/TGsPbOGims

— John Basham (@JohnBasham) April 19, 2025

Cano, who formerly was a magistrate judge in Doña Ana County, reported submitted a resignation letter dated March 3. But officials said it was not received by court officials until March 31.

Homeland Security investigators in Las Cruces had started looking into Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a native of Venezuela described as an illegal alien “and a suspected member of a criminal gang.”

The allegations included that he was living with other gang members and “in possession of firearms.”

Then two search warrants were executed at a home that was identified as owned by Cano’s wife, Nancy Cano.

“Ortega-Lopez and his roommates were taken into custody, and agents ‘seized four firearms from April Cano’s residence.’ April Cano is the daughter of Nancy and Joel, court documents state,” according to the report.

Further, Ortega-Lopez had posed on social media with various weapons, the report said.

The suspect admitted he entered the U.S. illegally from Mexico in 2023, and was living in an El Paso apartment with others when he met Nancy Cano “to install a glass door for her,” the report said.

When he later was evicted from the apartment, the report said, Nancy Cano offered a place for him to live in the back of the home she shared with husband Joel Cano, the report said.

Property records show the home is owned by Nancy and Jose Cano, “who goes by Joel.”