Honduran Re-Entry: Ramirez-Vasquez Gets Time Served

NEW ORLEANS, LA – FRANCIS RAMIREZ-VASQUEZ, a 31-year-old Honduran national, received a sentence of time served today for the federal crime of illegal reentry after previously being deported. The case, handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, underscores the ongoing struggle to control the flow of individuals illegally returning to the United States after official removal.

Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the sentencing, which was handed down by U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle. RAMIREZ-VASQUEZ had previously pleaded guilty to a one-count Bill of Information charging him with illegal reentry of a removed alien. While RAMIREZ-VASQUEZ won’t face further incarceration, he will be subject to one year of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.

Court records reveal that RAMIREZ-VASQUEZ was discovered within the United States on or around December 23, 2016, despite having been officially deported and removed from the country on December 28, 2010. This isn’t a simple oversight; it’s a deliberate act of circumventing federal immigration laws, a crime the Department of Justice takes seriously. The relatively light sentence – time served – raises questions about the prioritization of resources in such cases.

Following the sentencing, RAMIREZ-VASQUEZ will be surrendered to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the initiation of removal proceedings. ICE will be responsible for his ultimate deportation back to Honduras. This transfer signifies the culmination of the federal prosecution and the beginning of the immigration process designed to enforce border security.

U.S. Attorney Evans was quick to commend the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, specifically Immigration and Customs Enforcement, for their diligent investigation into this matter. The relentless pursuit of individuals who violate immigration laws is a cornerstone of the DHS mission. Assistant United States Attorney Irene González spearheaded the prosecution of the case, ensuring that RAMIREZ-VASQUEZ was held accountable for his actions.

While the sentence may appear lenient, the case serves as a reminder that illegal reentry is a federal offense with real consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor the actions of ICE and the U.S. Attorney’s Office as they grapple with the complex challenges of immigration enforcement and border security. The question remains: is time served enough to deter others from making the same illegal journey?