Mexican National Accused of Illegal Reentry While Facing Oregon Sex Crime Charges

PORTLAND, Ore. (Feb. 11, 2026) — A Mexican national unlawfully residing in the United States made his first appearance in federal court last Thursday after authorities say he illegally reentered the country following his removal to Mexico in 2018.

Manuel Cruz-Ramirez, 38, has been charged by criminal complaint with illegal reentry. He was detained in the federal case pending further court proceedings.

Federal authorities said Cruz-Ramirez was previously removed from the United States in June 2018. According to court documents, he entered the United States on June 25, 2018, was placed in expedited removal proceedings on June 26, 2018, and was removed to Mexico on June 28, 2018.

The new charge stems from an encounter at Portland International Airport earlier this month. On Feb. 3, 2026, a Transportation Security Administration officer encountered Cruz-Ramirez at a terminal checkpoint, according to court records. Cruz-Ramirez presented a Mexican passport bearing an alias. When the passport did not return complete data during screening, the TSA officer contacted U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Customs and Border Protection officers used fingerprint identification to confirm Cruz-Ramirez’s identity, authorities said. A subsequent review of his immigration file and relevant electronic databases showed his prior expedited removal and deportation to Mexico in 2018.

Cruz-Ramirez was taken into federal custody in connection with the illegal reentry allegation. Under federal law, individuals who have been removed from the United States are prohibited from reentering without authorization.

The federal case comes as Cruz-Ramirez faces separate charges in Marion County, Oregon. He had been released on bail there after being charged in an amended indictment that includes rape in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree, and purchasing sex with a minor, according to court records. Details of those allegations were not included in the federal complaint.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Further hearings in the federal case have not yet been publicly scheduled.