U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported Baltazar Pantoja Calderon, a 43-year-old man convicted of kidnapping and several other offenses in the United States, back to Mexico. This marks the eighth time that Pantoja has been removed from the U.S., following multiple illegal entries into the country.
Pantoja's history of entering the U.S. illegally dates back to at least May 27, 1999, when he first voluntarily returned to Mexico after being apprehended by immigration officials. He was subsequently deported on several occasions: July 1, 2008; September 1, 2010; October 29, 2014; March 18, 2015; May 3, 2017; and February 2, 2018.
In addition to his repeated illegal entries, Pantoja has been convicted of various crimes while in the United States. His criminal record includes a conviction for kidnapping on May 12, 2010; driving while intoxicated on May 29, 2008; illegal entry on July 3, 2018; and resisting arrest as recently as March 10, 2025.
Bret Bradford, Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Houston, commented on the situation: "The complete lack of respect for our nation’s system of laws that this criminal alien has displayed over the past quarter of a century has in recent years unfortunately become more commonplace." Bradford added that law enforcement in South Texas is committed to restoring sovereignty over the southern border and removing dangerous individuals from communities.
For updates on ICE's immigration law enforcement efforts in Texas, follow @EROHouston on X.
