Higinio Mendez-Salazar, a 52-year-old Mexican citizen residing in Scranton, Pennsylvania, has been charged with illegal reentry into the United States. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania made this announcement following his charge by Criminal Information.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus stated that the indictment claims Mendez-Salazar was found in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, on or about May 15, 2025. He had previously been removed from the United States and allegedly reentered without obtaining legal permission after being deported through Hidalgo, Texas.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations along with the Pennsylvania State Police. Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus is handling the prosecution of this case.
This charge is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations. It also seeks to protect communities from violent crime perpetrators by utilizing resources from the Department of Justice's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
If convicted, Mendez-Salazar faces a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment, supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing would be determined by a judge considering federal sentencing statutes and guidelines.
It is important to note that Criminal Informations are merely allegations. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
