Lorenzo Antonio Loja-Castro, Re-Entry of a Removed Alien, New York 2025

Lorenzo Antonio Loja-Castro, a 32-year-old Ecuadorian man, has been charged with re-entry of a removed alien, a serious offense that carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, Loja-Castro was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on March 26, 2025, in Buffalo, New York. The investigation was launched after Homeland Security Investigations received information that suspected illegal aliens were working on construction projects in Hamburg, New York, and creating unsafe living conditions for tenants.

Immigration officials approached the construction workers and questioned their citizenship. Loja-Castro stated that he was from Ecuador and did not have any immigration documents to be present in the United States legally. An immigration check revealed that he had been previously apprehended in Middleport, New York, and removed from the United States in July 2024.

The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at repelling the invasion of illegal immigration and protecting communities from violent crime. The operation streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Loja-Castro made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was detained. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.

Loja-Castro, a citizen of Ecuador, faces up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine for re-entry of a removed alien. His current status is detained, awaiting further proceedings. The investigation and charges highlight the importance of addressing illegal immigration and protecting American communities.

The U.S. Attorney's office is committed to prosecuting those who violate immigration laws and putting a stop to the spread of illegal activity in our country. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who commit crimes are held accountable for their actions.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/ecuadorian-man-charged-illegal-re-entry