In a recent development, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in New York apprehended a Mexican-born illegal immigrant, Raymond Rojas Basilio, who had been previously deported five times.
The 36-year-old Rojas has been accused of sexually abusing an 11-year-old child in the U.S. This heinous act was committed after Rojas had been expelled from the country five times, only to re-enter without the knowledge or approval of immigration officials.
As reported by Fox News, Rojas was first arrested by the New York Police Department on August 28, 2023. Following his arrest, the Kings County Supreme Court in Brooklyn found him guilty of forcibly touching an 11-year-old victim's intimate parts. On September 20, 2024, the court handed down a sentence of 60 days of incarceration and six years of probation. Rojas was also mandated to register as a sex offender.
On December 17, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations agents arrested Rojas outside his residence in Queens. This arrest marked the latest in a series of encounters with law enforcement for Rojas. His first arrest by U.S. Border Patrol occurred in May 2002 near Douglas, Arizona, following three separate attempts to unlawfully enter the U.S.
Rojas was again apprehended on January 6, 2012, at the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona, while attempting to enter the country using a counterfeit Arizona Driver's License and U.S. birth certificate. A mere five days later, border authorities once more removed Rojas after he tried to enter the country using fraudulent documents at another port of entry in Nogales.
Kenneth Genalo, New York ICE Field Office Director, expressed his concern over the case, stating, "This criminal has repeatedly shown he has absolutely no regard for our nations laws, as evidenced by his repeated attempts to unlawfully or fraudulently enter the United States." Genalo further emphasized the potential harm one unlawful entry can cause to the community.
Genalo also pointed out that local "non-cooperation policies" had hindered ICE from taking immediate custody of Rojas following his sentencing by the Brooklyn court. "However, due to the diligence of our officers, ERO New York City was able to rapidly apprehend this public safety threat before he could harm any other New Yorkers," Genalo added.
Rojas is currently in ICE custody, awaiting removal to Mexico. This case underscores the need for stringent immigration policies and the importance of cooperation between local and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety.
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