A Guatemalan national residing unlawfully in New Bedford has pleaded guilty to reentering the United States illegally after deportation. Manuel Ruiz Luis, aged 52, admitted guilt to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien in federal court in Boston. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young has set the sentencing for September 18, 2025.
Ruiz Luis was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2025. His initial deportation from the United States to Guatemala occurred in April 1996, and he subsequently reentered the country illegally. He was removed again on March 28, 2012, but returned without permission sometime thereafter.
Before his removal in 2012, Ruiz Luis had several criminal convictions, including operating under the influence and four charges related to driving without a license.
The charge of unlawful reentry carries a potential sentence of up to two years in prison, followed by one year of supervised release and a fine reaching $250,000. After serving any imposed sentence, Ruiz Luis is subject to deportation. Sentences are determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra W. Amrhein from the Major Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution.
