Illegal Reentry Defense Attorney in Cameron County
Janie Jaimez, Attorney at Law
Illegal reentry is one of the most heavily prosecuted federal charges along the border. The Southern District of Texas handles a high volume of these cases, and Brownsville is no exception. This is a criminal charge, separate from any civil immigration removal process, and it's prosecuted in federal court like any other federal crime. Janie reviews how the charge was built before deciding on a strategy. Se habla español. Call 956-793-5033.
What Counts as Illegal Reentry
Federal illegal reentry charges apply when someone who was previously removed, deported, or excluded from the United States is found in the country again without having obtained permission to reenter. It's a distinct federal offense from the reason someone was originally removed; the charge is about the reentry itself.
Penalties for Illegal Reentry
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A baseline illegal reentry charge carries meaningful federal prison exposure on its own
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The exposure increases significantly if the prior removal followed certain criminal convictions
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Every case depends heavily on the specific immigration and criminal history involved
What Janie Reviews in Every Illegal Reentry Case
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Whether the prior removal order was valid and properly documented
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How the person was identified and located, and whether that process was lawful
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What prior convictions, if any, are being used to enhance the charge, and whether that's being calculated correctly
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Whether a plea agreement or reduced sentence is realistic given the specific history
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How the case affects the person's broader immigration situation, if at all
Frequently Asked Questions
Is illegal reentry a criminal charge or an immigration matter?
It's a criminal charge, prosecuted in federal court like any other federal crime, separate from the civil immigration removal process.
Yes. The criminal history behind the original removal can significantly affect the exposure on the reentry charge itself.
Does a prior conviction affect an illegal reentry charge?
Many of these cases resolve through plea negotiations. What's realistic depends on the specific facts and history involved.
Can an illegal reentry charge be resolved without going to trial?
29 Avalon Dr, Brownsville, TX 78520
(281) 779-4053
Serving the Rio Grande Valley