Key Takeaways
• Jose DeLeon Ventura pleaded guilty to illegal reentry on May 23, 2025, in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
• He faces up to two years in prison, one year supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
• New Bedford’s immigrant community is impacted by increased immigration enforcement and a large immigration court backlog.
On May 23, 2025, Jose DeLeon Ventura, a 30-year-old man from Guatemala, pleaded guilty in federal court to the charge of illegal reentry after deportation. The case, which unfolded in New Bedford, Massachusetts, highlights both the personal consequences for individuals caught in the United States 🇺🇸 immigration system and the broader challenges facing immigrant communities in cities like New Bedford. This article explains what happened in the case of Jose DeLeon Ventura, the legal process for illegal reentry, and the wider impact on local immigrants and their families.
Who Is Jose DeLeon Ventura and What Happened?
Jose DeLeon Ventura was arrested on April 23, 2025, in the North End of New Bedford as he was heading to work as a painter with a coworker. Federal authorities charged him with “one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien,” which means he returned to the United States 🇺🇸 after being deported and did not have legal permission to come back. He has been held in federal custody since his arrest.
On May 23, 2025, DeLeon Ventura appeared before U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani and pleaded guilty to the charge. His sentencing is scheduled for July 14, 2025. The possible penalties for illegal reentry include:
- Up to two years in prison
- One year of supervised release (a period during which he would be monitored after leaving prison)
- A fine of up to $250,000
After serving any sentence the judge gives him, DeLeon Ventura will face deportation proceedings again, which means the government will try to remove him from the United States 🇺🇸 once more.
Why Was Jose DeLeon Ventura Arrested?
DeLeon Ventura’s arrest in 2025 was not his first encounter with U.S. immigration authorities. In late 2019, he was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol in Arizona and deported to Guatemala. At some point after that, he returned to the United States 🇺🇸 without permission, which is a federal crime known as illegal reentry.
Federal officials became aware that DeLeon Ventura was back in the country after he was arrested by state police in August 2023 for driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a suspended license. These state-level offenses brought him to the attention of federal immigration authorities, who then began investigating his immigration status.
Jose DeLeon Ventura’s Criminal Record in New Bedford
Court records show that Jose DeLeon Ventura has faced several charges in New Bedford:
- 2023: Two charges for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol (OUI)
- 2024: Two charges for driving with a suspended license and without an inspection sticker (both dismissed)
For the OUI charges, DeLeon Ventura is currently on probation until January 2026. If he completes a state-mandated alcohol education program, he may have these charges dismissed. This means that, while he has a criminal record, some of the charges could be removed if he meets the court’s requirements.
What Is Illegal Reentry?
Illegal reentry is a federal crime under U.S. law. It happens when someone who has been deported or removed from the United States 🇺🇸 comes back without legal permission. The law is found in Section 1326 of Title 8 of the United States Code. People convicted of illegal reentry can face prison time, fines, and removal from the country.
For more information about the law on illegal reentry, you can visit the U.S. Department of Justice’s official page on immigration offenses.
The Legal Process: What Happens After a Guilty Plea?
After pleading guilty to illegal reentry, a person like Jose DeLeon Ventura goes through several steps:
- Sentencing: The judge decides the punishment, which could include prison, supervised release, and a fine.
- Deportation Proceedings: After serving any sentence, the person is usually placed in removal (deportation) proceedings. This is a legal process where an immigration judge decides if the person should be removed from the United States 🇺🇸.
- Possible Appeals: The person can sometimes appeal the removal order, but options are limited for those with a criminal record or prior deportation.
Other Recent Immigration Cases in New Bedford
Jose DeLeon Ventura’s case is not unique. New Bedford has seen several high-profile immigration enforcement actions in recent months, reflecting a broader trend of increased immigration enforcement in the area.
The Case of Manuel Ruiz Luis
Just days before DeLeon Ventura’s guilty plea, another Guatemalan man, Manuel Ruiz Luis, 52, was indicted for illegal reentry. He was arrested by ICE agents on March 31, 2025, in New Bedford. Luis had been deported in 2012 after being convicted of several offenses, including operating under the influence and driving without a license.
The Case of Juan Francisco Méndez
Another case that drew national attention involved Juan Francisco Méndez, also from Guatemala. Federal agents arrested him in a dramatic incident where they broke his car window. Méndez was released on May 15, 2025, after nearly a month in detention. He now wears an ankle monitor and is enrolled in the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), which tracks immigrants while their cases are pending.
Key facts about Méndez’s case:
- He can travel within New England, except for Vermont and Maine.
- His next ISAP appointment is on June 2, 2025.
- He has a court hearing on May 29, 2025, to challenge the ankle monitor.
- A hearing in September will decide if he can stay in the United States 🇺🇸.
Méndez’s wife and son have asylum, and he is trying to become a derivative asylee, which means he hopes to get legal status based on their asylum.
The Case of Juan Ramón Alegría Rodas
On May 6, 2025, Juan Ramón Alegría Rodas, 43, was arrested in New Bedford’s North End. He claims he is a victim of mistaken identity, saying federal agents confused him with a friend who was deported in 2009. Rodas says he has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 since the 1990s and has never left.
Immigration in New Bedford: A Community Under Pressure
New Bedford is home to a large immigrant community. According to the 2023 American Community Survey, more than 20% of the city’s 100,000 residents were born outside the United States 🇺🇸. Of these foreign-born residents, 54% are noncitizens, meaning they do not have U.S. citizenship.
This high percentage of immigrants means that immigration enforcement actions, like the arrest of Jose DeLeon Ventura, have a big impact on the community. Many families rely on members who may not have legal status, and arrests can cause serious economic and emotional hardship.
Lisa Maya Knauer, a founder of Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores and a professor at UMass Dartmouth, explained that about 20 people have likely been detained in New Bedford since President Trump took office. She said, “In many cases, the person who is detained was either the principal breadwinner in the family or one of the principal breadwinners in the families. So this has really caused economic hardship to a community that is already hard-pressed economically.”
Advocates have also reported that flyers designed to scare immigrant families have been circulating in New Bedford, adding to the sense of fear and uncertainty.
National Immigration Court Backlog: A System Under Strain
The cases in New Bedford are part of a much larger national trend. Immigration courts across the United States 🇺🇸 are facing record backlogs and delays. As of January 2025:
- 3.7 million deportation cases were pending in immigration courts, an 11% increase over the previous year.
- 67% of people in these cases did not have a lawyer.
- More than 20,200 people were in immigration detention facing deportation.
- 79% of the 340,000 people ordered removed in the last year did not have legal representation.
By March 2025, the backlog stood at 3,629,627 cases. In the first half of fiscal year 2025, courts recorded 349,165 new cases and completed 460,682 cases. Over 2 million immigrants are waiting for asylum hearings or decisions.
It’s important to note that only 1.17% of new cases in 2025 involved deportation orders based on criminal activity, apart from illegal entry. This means that most people in immigration court are not accused of serious crimes.
What Does This Mean for Immigrants in New Bedford?
The arrest and guilty plea of Jose DeLeon Ventura, along with other recent cases, have several important effects on New Bedford’s immigrant community:
- Economic Impact: When a family member is detained or deported, families often lose their main source of income. This can lead to financial hardship, especially for families already struggling to make ends meet.
- Emotional Stress: The fear of arrest and deportation causes anxiety and stress for immigrants and their children. Families may avoid public places or services out of fear.
- Legal Challenges: Many immigrants, like Jose DeLeon Ventura, face the legal system without a lawyer. This makes it much harder to defend themselves or understand their rights.
Community organizations, such as Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores, work to support immigrants by providing information, legal referrals, and emotional support.
What Happens Next for Jose DeLeon Ventura?
Jose DeLeon Ventura will remain in federal custody until his sentencing on July 14, 2025. After serving any prison time, he will be placed in deportation proceedings. Because he has a prior deportation and a criminal record, his chances of staying in the United States 🇺🇸 are very low.
He may be able to apply for certain forms of relief, such as asylum or protection under the Convention Against Torture, but these are difficult to win, especially for people with criminal convictions.
What Should Immigrants Know?
If you or someone you know is facing similar charges or immigration problems, here are some important steps to consider:
- Seek Legal Help: Having a lawyer can make a big difference in immigration cases. Many organizations offer free or low-cost legal services.
- Know Your Rights: Everyone in the United States 🇺🇸 has certain rights, regardless of immigration status. For example, you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak to a lawyer.
- Stay Informed: Immigration laws and policies change often. Check official government websites, such as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), for the latest information.
The Bigger Picture: Immigration Enforcement and Policy
The case of Jose DeLeon Ventura shows how immigration enforcement affects real people and families. While the government has the authority to remove people who are in the country without permission, the process is often complicated and can have serious consequences for entire communities.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that cases like DeLeon Ventura’s are becoming more common as immigration enforcement increases in cities with large immigrant populations. The backlog in immigration courts means that many people wait years for a decision, living in uncertainty and fear.
Conclusion: Practical Guidance for Immigrants and Their Families
The story of Jose DeLeon Ventura is just one example of how immigration laws and enforcement shape the lives of immigrants in New Bedford and across the United States 🇺🇸. If you are an immigrant or have a loved one facing similar challenges, remember:
- Get legal advice as soon as possible
- Stay connected with community organizations
- Keep up to date with official information and deadlines
For more details on immigration court procedures and your rights, visit the U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review.
By understanding the legal process and seeking support, immigrants can better protect themselves and their families during difficult times.
Learn Today
Illegal Reentry → Returning to the U.S. after deportation without legal permission, a federal crime under Section 1326, Title 8.
Supervised Release → A monitored period after prison during which an individual must comply with certain conditions set by the court.
Deportation Proceedings → Legal process where an immigration judge decides if a person should be removed from the U.S.
Immigration Court Backlog → Large number of pending immigration cases causing delays in hearings and decisions nationwide.
Ankle Monitor → A device worn to track the location of an individual while their immigration case is pending.
This Article in a Nutshell
Jose DeLeon Ventura pleaded guilty to illegal reentry in New Bedford, facing prison and deportation. His case reveals challenges immigrants face amid increased enforcement and court backlogs, affecting families economically and emotionally in a city with a significant immigrant population.
— By VisaVerge.com
