ICE Boston arrest leads to federal charges for Salvadoran alien illegally residing in Massachusetts after deportation

BOSTON — An ICE Boston operation led to federal charges for an illegally present 32-year-old Salvadoran alien who was unlawfully residing in Lynn after having been previously deported. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts indicted Jose Leonardo Gutierrez-Mendez June 9 on one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.

Officers with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston arrested Gutierrez-Mendez during a targeted operation May 8.

“Jose Leonardo Gutierrez-Mendez blatantly disregarded U.S. immigration laws and illegally took up residence in Lynn after a previous deportation,” said ICE Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “We will not stand idly by and allow illegal aliens to repeatedly break our laws. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing alien offenders from our New England communities.”

ICE removed Gutierrez-Mendez from the United States to El Salvador in August 2014. At some point after his deportation, Gutierrez-Mendez unlawfully reentered the United States on an unknown date, at an unknown location, and without having been inspected, admitted or paroled by a U.S. immigration official.

Gutierrez-Mendez apparently resided in Lynn until officers with ICE Boston arrested him.

If convicted, Gutierrez-Mendez faces a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Furthermore, he is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X at @EROBoston.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)