Federal immigration authorities have arrested a Mexican national in Northern California with multiple drunk driving convictions and a history of repeated illegal reentry into the United States.
Jose De Santiago-Martinez, an illegal alien from Mexico, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations San Francisco office on August 17. According to officials, De Santiago-Martinez has been convicted of driving under the influence twice in just over a year, receiving a combined sentence of only 44 days in jail.
“This Mexican illegal alien got two DUIs a little over a year apart and was sentenced to a total of 44 days in jail, which is little more than a slap on the wrist when you compare it to the potential harm he could’ve done,” said acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “When an illegal alien establishes a pattern of ignoring our laws — starting when they illegally enter and reenter this country and concluding with criminal charges — we have a legal and moral obligation to get them off our streets and protect our communities. We can’t afford to wait until tragedy strikes to make an arrest.”
According to immigration records, De Santiago-Martinez first entered the United States without inspection or legal authorization in 2004. He was issued a voluntary return to Mexico on August 15 of that year but reentered the country the next day, prompting a second voluntary return. At some point thereafter, he entered the U.S. again without permission, making this his third known illegal entry.
His most recent legal troubles began in early 2024. On February 10, he was convicted of driving on a suspended license. Just over a month later, on March 25, he was convicted in Sacramento County of misdemeanor drunk driving and sentenced to four days in jail. On May 19, 2025, a judge in Placer County sentenced him to 40 days in jail following his second DUI conviction.
ICE officials emphasized the limited consequences Santiago-Martinez faced under California law, despite a growing criminal record. The California Department of Motor Vehicles allows illegal aliens who lack proof of legal presence to obtain driver’s licenses if they meet basic DMV requirements.
De Santiago-Martinez is currently in ICE custody and may face removal proceedings.
