Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A Harlingen resident, Fidel Jose-Ramirez, has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for unlawfully reentering the United States. The sentencing was issued by U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr., who noted the offending history of Jose-Ramirez and its potential risk to public safety.
Jose-Ramirez, 41, is not a U.S. citizen and is expected to face deportation proceedings after serving his sentence. His legal troubles include multiple convictions, such as driving while intoxicated, assault family violence, criminal mischief, and possession of a controlled substance. Previously, he was ordered to leave the country in 2019 and was convicted in 2023 for returning illegally.
The recent investigation found he reentered the U.S. illegally on January 3, 2024, after crossing the Rio Grande River near Brownsville. Since his arrest, he remains in custody pending his transfer to a designated U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation into his case was managed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Marian handled the prosecution. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced Jose-Ramirez's incarceration following his December 18, 2024, guilty plea.
