Mexican man pleads guilty for the third time to illegal re-entry

BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Oscar Figueroa Rosario, 41, a citizen and national of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to re-entry of removed alien subsequent to a felony conviction, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, who is handling the case, stated that Figueroa Rosario was physically removed from the United States in August 2007. He was found in the United States again in September 2007 and was physically removed on September 20, 2007. Figueroa Rosario was subsequently found in the United States again and physically removed in November 2007, two times in January 2009, and in June 2011. On August 1, 2025, Figueroa Rosario was encountered at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry when the vehicle he was in made a wrong turn towards Canada. He was not in possession of any legal documents allowing him to be present in the United States.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The plea is the result of an investigation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo. 

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