Federal immigration authorities have arrested a previously deported Salvadoran national in Massachusetts, leading to new charges for illegally reentering the United States.
Jose Leonardo Gutierrez-Mendez, 32, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during a targeted operation in Lynn on May 8, according to officials with ICE’s Boston field office. He had previously been deported to El Salvador in August 2014.
Despite that removal, Gutierrez-Mendez later returned to the U.S. and established residence in Massachusetts. Authorities say he entered the country again without being inspected or authorized by immigration officials, in violation of federal law.
Salvadoran illegal alien Jose Leonardo Gutierrez-Mendez was deported in 2014.
He snuck back into the U.S. & tried to hide in Lynn, Mass., where we arrested him.
Now, he faces up to two years in prison for unlawful reentry before we deport him again.
📰https://t.co/Y5awLq2zGU pic.twitter.com/iCqzVofMU2
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) June 27, 2025
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced that Gutierrez-Mendez was indicted on June 9 for unlawful reentry by a previously removed alien, a felony offense that can result in up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
“Jose Leonardo Gutierrez-Mendez blatantly disregarded U.S. immigration laws and illegally took up residence in Lynn after a previous deportation,” said Patricia H. Hyde, ICE Boston’s acting field office director. “ICE Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing alien offenders from our New England communities.”
According to ICE, the timeline and location of Gutierrez-Mendez’s reentry into the country remain unknown. However, federal law makes it a crime for anyone to return to the U.S. after being deported unless explicitly permitted by immigration authorities.
If convicted, Gutierrez-Mendez would serve any sentence imposed by the court and then face removal proceedings once again. ICE emphasized that such enforcement actions are part of its mandate to uphold immigration law and address illegal reentries, particularly among individuals with prior removal histories.
The case remains under federal jurisdiction as proceedings move forward.
