Jose Lopez-Cruz/Mexico/DUI, Forgery

ICE New Orleans arrested Jose Lopez-Cruz, a citizen of Mexico and an illegal alien present in the United States, during targeted operations aimed at apprehending criminal aliens with serious and repeated offenses. Lopez-Cruz, forty-one, came to the attention of ICE due to his extensive criminal history and prior immigration violations, highlighting his persistent disregard for both criminal and immigration laws.

Lopez-Cruz’s record includes four separate convictions for driving under the influence (DUIs), indicating a pattern of dangerous behavior that poses a significant threat to public safety. DUI offenses are not minor infractions but serious crimes that risk lives on the road, and multiple convictions emphasize his ongoing risk to the community. Law enforcement officials underscore that repeat DUI offenders are often responsible for fatal accidents and violent crashes.

Additionally, Lopez-Cruz has a conviction for forgery, a crime frequently linked to fraud, identity theft, and other forms of financial deceit that can damage individuals and businesses. His involvement in alien smuggling further demonstrates his participation in organized criminal activities that exploit vulnerable migrants and undermine U.S. immigration laws. Smuggling operations often expose migrants to dangerous and inhumane conditions, enriching criminal networks at great human cost.

After having been removed previously, Lopez-Cruz illegally re-entered the United States, an act that constitutes a felony under federal law for individuals who have prior deportations. His illegal re-entry shows a deliberate intent to evade U.S. law and continue living in the country despite multiple prior removals.

ICE officers arrested Lopez-Cruz without incident. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings before an immigration judge. Given his repeated criminal conduct and prior removals, federal authorities have prioritized his case to protect public safety and uphold the integrity of U.S. immigration enforcement.