Guatemalan Nationals Plead Guilty to Illegal Reentry, Forged Documents in Massachusetts

Two Guatemalan nationals in Massachusetts have pleaded guilty to unlawful reentry following deportations. Manuel Ruiz Luis, living in New Bedford, admitted to illegally reentering the U.S. after deportation and faces up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine; he has a history of multiple criminal convictions including operating under the influence and motor vehicle offenses. Jose Martinez-Lopez, residing unlawfully in West Springfield and also known as Amalio Mendez-Molina, pleaded guilty to possessing a forged immigration document and unlawful reentry after being deported four times. Martinez-Lopez has a criminal record including a human smuggling conviction in Arizona, charges of domestic battery in Illinois, and assault on a police officer in Massachusetts, with sentencing scheduled for August 20, 2025. Both cases highlight repeated illegal entries into the U.S. and ongoing law enforcement efforts to prosecute immigration-related offenses. These prosecutions were announced by U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and ICE officials in Boston.