A Mexican national, Jose Antonio Barcena-Ruiz, has pleaded guilty to illegal re-entry into the United States. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo in Buffalo, New York. Barcena-Ruiz, 41, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara and was sentenced to time served before being handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, Barcena-Ruiz was located by Homeland Security agents in Erie County, New York on May 31, 2025. At the time of his arrest, he did not have legal documentation permitting him to be in the country. A review of records showed that Barcena-Ruiz had previously been removed from the United States in 2008, twice in 2009, and again in 2010.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at addressing illegal immigration and combating cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
“This investigation 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,” according to officials.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations under Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
