Selvin Perez Thomas/Guatemala/Immigration Violations

On February 26, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 24-year-old Selvin Perez Thomas, a Guatemalan national with a prior criminal history, in San Diego, Calif. Perez had been previously removed from the United States on two separate occasions and was unlawfully present at the time of his arrest.

Perez’s criminal record includes multiple convictions in California. These include driving under the influence, hit-and-run causing death or injury, and conspiracy to file a fraudulent insurance claim. ICE records show that he was first removed from the United States in 2015, and again in 2017 following an illegal reentry.

ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations San Diego identified Perez as a priority due to his repeated immigration violations and serious criminal conduct. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to an ICE detention facility, where he remains pending removal proceedings.

If convicted under federal immigration law for unlawful reentry, Perez could face additional criminal penalties before deportation. ICE confirmed that he is currently being processed for removal and that his prior orders of removal remain enforceable.

Perez’s case is among several recent enforcement actions targeting individuals with significant criminal histories who have reentered the U.S. after being deported.