ICE Boston arrest leads to conviction for alien who illegally reentered US after deportation

BOSTON – An ICE Boston operation led to an unlawfully present Guatemalan alien pleading guilty in federal court to illegally reentering the U.S. after deportation. Manuel Ruiz-Luis, 52, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.

Officers with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston arrested Ruiz, who was illegally residing in New Bedford, March 31, 2025.

“Manuel Ruiz-Luis has displayed a blatant disregard for U.S. immigration laws by illegally reentering the U.S. after having been deported on two previous occasions,” said ICE ERO Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “Furthermore, Ruiz-Luis chose to endanger our law-abiding residents by driving his vehicle under the influence of alcohol. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing criminal alien offenders from our New England neighborhoods.”

Ruiz-Luis was first deported from the U.S. to Guatemala in April 1996 and reentered the U.S. illegally sometime thereafter.

Ruiz-Luis was removed from the U.S. a second time on March 28, 2012. Sometime after his March 2012 removal, Ruiz Luis illegally reentered the U.S. without permission.

Prior to his 2012 removal, Ruiz-Luis had multiple criminal convictions in the U.S. including one for operating under the influence and four separate convictions for operating a motor vehicle without a license.

Ruiz-Luis faces up to two years in prison followed by one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 at his sentencing, which is scheduled for Sept. 18. Furthermore, Ruiz-Luis 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)