Repeat Deportee Orellana-Martinez Admits Illegal Reentry

BOSTON – Melvin Alexander Orellana-Martinez, 54, a Salvadoran national with a blatant disregard for U.S. immigration law, pleaded guilty today to the charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. The case, a stark example of the revolving door of illegal immigration, was heard before U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns. A sentencing date remains to be set, but Orellana-Martinez faces a substantial prison term.

This isn’t Orellana-Martinez’s first rodeo. Far from it. Records show he was removed from the United States on a staggering eight separate occasions between July 2007 and January 2020. He’s proven remarkably persistent in his attempts to circumvent federal law, racking up five prior federal convictions in California and Texas between February 2008 and March 2019 – all related to illegal reentry or improper entry. This man knows the system, and has repeatedly exploited it.

His most recent deportation occurred on January 14, 2020. Yet, sometime after being sent back to El Salvador, Orellana-Martinez once again slipped back into the country undetected. It wasn’t until January 6, 2023, when he was arrested on unrelated state charges, that federal immigration authorities were alerted to his latest unlawful return. The initial state charges served as the catalyst to expose his continued violation of federal immigration laws.

The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien carries a hefty penalty. Orellana-Martinez is looking at up to 20 years behind bars, a maximum of three years of supervised release following his incarceration, and a potential fine of up to $250,000. But even that isn’t the end of the line. Upon completion of any imposed sentence, Orellana-Martinez will be subjected to renewed deportation proceedings, though his history suggests this may not be a deterrent.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director for Boston’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, jointly announced the guilty plea. The prosecution is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit, a unit dedicated to tackling serious federal offenses.

The sentencing will be determined by Judge Stearns, taking into consideration the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes. This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by federal authorities in dealing with individuals who repeatedly violate immigration laws and underscores the need for effective enforcement to secure the border and maintain the integrity of the immigration system. Whether this sentence will finally deter Orellana-Martinez remains to be seen.