Jorge Misael Niz Convicted

A Guatemalan national, Jorge Misael Niz, 43, has been convicted and sentenced for unlawful reentry into the United States. According to the U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan, Niz pleaded guilty and was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha D. Elliott to time served, or two months.

Niz, who was unlawfully residing in Salem, was previously ordered to be removed from the United States by an Immigration Judge and was deported to Guatemala on March 30, 2006. However, he reentered the country and was arrested by the Salem Police Department on April 27, 2025, after a report of a domestic violence incident.

Law enforcement arrested Niz for simple assault, and after learning of his immigration status, they referred him to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE led the investigation, with valuable assistance provided by the Salem Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that aims to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Niz is currently in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for removal to Guatemala. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat unlawful reentry and other immigration-related crimes. The sentence of time served, or two months, reflects the severity of the crime and the need to hold individuals accountable for violating U.S. immigration laws.

The conviction and sentencing of Jorge Misael Niz demonstrate the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement agencies to enforcing immigration laws and protecting national security. As part of Operation Take Back America, the Department of Justice will continue to work tirelessly to identify, prosecute, and remove individuals who pose a threat to public safety and national security.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan emphasized the importance of enforcing immigration laws and holding individuals accountable for their actions. The case against Jorge Misael Niz serves as a reminder of the consequences of violating U.S. immigration laws and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat unlawful reentry and other immigration-related crimes.