UNITED STATES ATTORNEY ALICE H. MARTIN NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: KAREN NARAMORE
	MAY 27, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

MEXICAN MAN INDICTED FOR ILLEGAL RE-ENTRY

            BIRMINGHAM, AL - JUAN RAMOS-VASQUEZ, 26, of Mexico, was indicted today for by a federal grand jury in Birmingham.  United States Attorney Alice H. Martin and Philip Miller, Acting Field Office Director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention and Removal announce the indictment today of RAMOS-VASQUEZ for  illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien.        RAMOS-VASQUEZ is accused of being found in the United States after having been previously deported.

            “This country readily accepts those who wish to legally enter our borders, and there are steps to go through for that procedure.  For those who choose not to follow those steps, you could be living in a federal prison rather than your own home,” stated United States Attorney Alice H. Martin.

            "ICE is committed to restoring the integrity to our nation's immigration system," said Philip Miller, ICE's Acting Field Office Director in New Orleans. "Those who choose to violate the law by willfully returning to the U.S. after being deported will be pursued by ICE."

            The maximum penalty for illegal re-entry is up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.00, or both. .

            The matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention and Removal Agents and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Beau Brown.

            Members of the public are reminded that an indictment only contains charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

###