A Guatemalan national residing unlawfully in New Bedford has pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the United States after deportation. Manuel Ruiz Luis, aged 52, admitted guilt to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien in federal court in Boston. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young has scheduled his sentencing for September 18, 2025.
In May 2025, Ruiz Luis was indicted by a federal grand jury. He was first deported from the United States to Guatemala in April 1996 and later returned to the U.S. without permission. Ruiz Luis was removed again on March 28, 2012, and subsequently reentered the country illegally.
Before his removal in 2012, Ruiz Luis had several criminal convictions, including operating under the influence and four instances of operating a motor vehicle without a license.
The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien carries a potential sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. Upon completion of any sentence imposed, the defendant is subject to deportation. Sentences are determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston announced the case details. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra W. Amrhein from the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
