Mexican Woman Admits Illegal Re-entry into United States

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Rosibel Catalan-Bonifacio, age 24, and a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty today to illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Robert N. Garcia, Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

Catalan-Bonifacio admitted as part of her guilty plea that she is a citizen of Mexico, and that she was removed from the United States to Mexico a total of 5 times, the most recent removal taking place on December 5, 2014.  On each occasion, Catalan-Bonifacio had been arrested by immigration authorities in Arizona after she entered the United States without inspection from Mexico.  

On August 1, 2018, she was arrested by a Border Patrol Agent in Champlain, New York, after she illegally entered the United States from Canada by walking across the border approximately 3 miles west of the Champlain Port of Entry, thereby avoiding immigration and customs inspection.  Catalan-Bonifacio admitted that she returned to the United States without permission following the prior removals.   

Catalan-Bonifacio faces up to 2 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when she is sentenced by United States District Judge Mae A. D ’Agostino on March 25, 2019.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.    

This case was investigated by Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.