A previously deported Guatemalan man, who has also been convicted of committing crimes within the U.S., was arrested in New York over the weekend, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on Wednesday.
Yoni Wilfredo Gregorio Ortiz, 44, was apprehended by New York City ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers on Sunday in the village of Airmont, Rockland County. At the time of his arrest, he had an outstanding warrant for driving while intoxicated.
ICE reported that Gregorio Ortiz was initially arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents on December 10, 2012, for illegally entering the United States. He was processed for expedited removal the following day and deported to Guatemala on January 10, 2013. However, he illegally reentered the U.S. on an unknown date without inspection by immigration officials.
William Joyce, acting Field Office Director of ICE ERO New York City, stated, “Not only does Gregorio have contempt for our nation’s immigration laws as proven by his illegal return after being previously removed, but he has also shown a complete disregard for our criminal laws as well. ICE New York City will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our communities.”
During his time back in the U.S., Gregorio Ortiz was charged with third-degree assault and convicted of that crime on September 1, 2022, by the Spring Valley Village Court. He was later convicted by a Rockland County Court on June 3, 2024, for acting in a manner to injure a child and criminal mischief.
Gregorio Ortiz is currently being held by ICE at Orange County Jail in Goshen, New York.
Hundreds of illegal immigrants have been arrested across the country during February, although the number is lower compared to January, when ICE was conducting hundreds, sometimes thousands, of arrests daily, according to Department of Homeland Security data.
The exact number of arrests in February is not yet known, as the Trump administration has shifted from releasing these figures daily to a monthly basis.
For the latest updates and breaking news, visit ZTC News and ZNews Today. Stay informed with comprehensive coverage on current events, trends, and more.