Federal prosecutors have charged 126 individuals with illegally re-entering the United States after their removal, as announced by the Justice Department. The operation involved collaboration between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal law enforcement agencies.
Many of those charged had prior felony convictions, including offenses such as manslaughter and crimes against children. These charges were filed in Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and Riverside federal courts. Nearly three dozen arrests occurred over the past week.
Under U.S. law, being found in the country following removal can lead to a base sentence of up to two years in federal prison. If removed after a felony conviction, defendants face a maximum 10-year sentence, while those removed after an aggravated felony face up to 20 years.
Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally stated: “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is enforcing long-standing immigration laws, and illegal aliens who defy lawful removal orders by returning to this nation will be prosecuted.” He emphasized that these charges promote respect for immigration laws and noted that some charged include sex offenders and violent criminals.
John Pasciucco from Homeland Security Investigations remarked on the comprehensive approach to immigration enforcement: “Our primary goal...is to ensure those who commit transnational crimes such as drug trafficking...can no longer commit it in the U.S.”
Some cases involve defendants like Ricardo Reynoso-Garcia, convicted of voluntary manslaughter; Oscar Parra-Reyes with previous convictions for drug-related offenses; Luis Roberto Calderon Collantes connected to fentanyl distribution; Valentin Vidal-Lopez with attempted murder charges; Erasmo Hermosillo-Martin linked to kidnapping; Angel Navarro-Camarillo convicted of lewd acts upon a child; and Isidro Jimenez-Ibanez facing assault charges.
These criminal complaints are under investigation by several agencies including ICE, HSI, FBI, DEA, among others. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys specializing in domestic security and general crimes sections.
All defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court proceedings.