Honduran woman arrested by ICE on child trafficking charges

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Honduran woman is in federal custody after being arrested in Providence by ICE for child trafficking charges.

Officials say 33-year-old Vivian Giselle Soriano-Neto was taken into custody by ICE agents on March 11. She had been living in the country illegally and was first detained in California in October 2017 for unlawful entry. On Nov. 9, 2017, she appeared before an immigration judge and then released on parole on Nov. 17, 2017.

Her most recent arrest came on February 20, when Providence police charged Soriano-Neto with two counts of indecent solicitation of a child and trafficking of a minor.

Following those charges, ICE placed her into custody, where she now remains as her case proceeds.

This comes as the Trump administration pushes to remove those living in the United States illegally.

In Rhode Island, the “sanctuary city” designation remains a key point of resistance to federal immigration enforcement. The state’s 2025 legislative agenda has focused on maintaining these protections, even in the face of federal attempts to overturn them.

As Rhode Island’s immigrant population continues to grow and contribute to the state’s economy, the conversation around sanctuary cities and federal immigration policy remains an ongoing, evolving issue. The state’s continued commitment to sanctuary protections in 2025 underscores its position as a leader in the fight for immigrant rights and a more compassionate approach to immigration reform.