U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York City has apprehended Jeremias Benites Vasquez, a 39-year-old citizen of El Salvador, during a targeted enforcement operation on May 14 in Brentwood, New York. The arrest was made by ICE officers and special agents during a traffic stop, where they served Benites with a notice of intent/decision to reinstate his prior removal order as an alien who illegally reentered the United States after being previously deported.
Bryan Flanagan, acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in New York City, stated: “This office remains committed to apprehending and removing criminal alien predators who commit horrific acts of violence against our most vulnerable community members.”
Benites was initially encountered by U.S. Border Patrol agents near Mission, Texas, on August 20, 2009. He was processed for expedited removal after being deemed inadmissible to the U.S., and subsequently removed to El Salvador on September 10, 2009. However, he reentered the United States at an unspecified date and location without proper admission or parole from an immigration official.
On March 12, 2024, Benites was arrested for sexual assault involving carnal abuse and lewd acts with a minor. He was convicted on March 20, 2025, of first-degree sexual abuse involving contact with a victim under the age of 13 while he was over the age of 21. Benites is currently in ICE custody awaiting removal to El Salvador.
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