Juan Hernandez, Reentry After Deportation, New Mexico 2024

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – In a shocking revelation, 329 individuals have been charged with Illegal Reentry After Deportation in New Mexico, marking a stark increase in immigration-related crimes during the recent government shutdown. This disturbing trend highlights the severity of the crisis at the southern border.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, these cases are prosecuted in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and other federal, state, and county agencies. The statistics reveal a stark reality: many of the defendants charged with Illegal Reentry After Deportation have prior criminal convictions for serious offenses, including drug trafficking, child sexual abuse, aggravated kidnapping, DUI, and aggravated assault.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office reported that 38 individuals were charged with Alien Smuggling, while 240 individuals were charged with Illegal Entry. Additionally, 340 individuals were charged with Illegal Entry, violation of a military security regulation, and Entering Military, Naval, or Coast Guard Property, arising from the newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at repelling the invasion of illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime. The statistics represent prosecutions by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico only and do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process.

Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the District of New Mexico. Enhanced enforcement at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault, and violence against children.

The District of New Mexico consists of 33 counties and shares 180 miles of international border with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Albuquerque and Las Cruces work directly with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to prosecute immigration-related and other federal offenses.

The grim reality of these statistics serves as a stark reminder of the need for comprehensive immigration reform and enhanced border security. The people of New Mexico demand action from their leaders to address this crisis and ensure their safety and security.

Related Federal Cases