Marcos Ismalej Ixpancoc, a 39-year-old Guatemalan national who had been living in Stamford, Connecticut, was sentenced to 30 days in prison for illegally reentering the United States after deportation. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford.
According to court records and statements made during proceedings, Ixpancoc was first apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol in Arizona in October 2006. At that time, he identified himself as Marcos Hernandez Lopez and claimed Mexican citizenship before being voluntarily returned to Mexico. In August 2012, he was again detained by Border Patrol agents in Texas under the name Jose Ernandez and stated he was from Guatemala. He was removed to Guatemala the following month.
In June 2023, Ixpancoc applied for legal permanent residency and work authorization with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) using his real name and a Stamford address. Fingerprints collected during this application process matched those taken during his previous apprehensions under different names in 2006 and 2012. The applications included several false statements signed under penalty of perjury.
On November 1, 2025, Homeland Security Investigations arrested Ixpancoc. He pleaded guilty to illegal reentry on December 4, having been detained since his arrest. After serving his sentence, he will be removed to Guatemala.
"This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel."
"This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime."
