Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan | Department of Justice
The United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced on Mar. 23 that Gerardo Flores-Banda, a 48-year-old Mexican national, has been charged for illegally re-entering the country less than two months after being removed for the same offense.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about repeat illegal entries into the United States and the enforcement of immigration laws.
According to court records, Flores-Banda was discovered in July 2025 in the United States after having previously been removed in 2012. He was initially charged with unlawful re-entry on July 30, 2025. Despite a government request for detention, a magistrate judge granted Flores-Banda bond and his release was affirmed by a district court judge. Subsequently, he was indicted but released to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody and removed from the country in September before his federal case concluded.
The government sought to keep his case pending due to his history of illegal re-entry; however, this motion was denied by the district court and the case dismissed without prejudice. Six weeks following his removal, law enforcement found Flores-Banda again inside U.S. borders near Naivan Vaya, Arizona. He pleaded guilty there to being present illegally and is awaiting sentencing as authorities seek to reinstate charges related to his previous arrest in Michigan.
“Serial criminals like the defendant must be deterred from breaking into our country. They do not respect the law of the land. When Americans break the law, they don’t get a free ride out of the country. And this defendant should not be treated better than our citizens. He should have to face the consequences for his alleged crime,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon.
“This case is a clear reminder that our border is closed to criminals who repeatedly violate our nation’s laws, demonstrating a blatant disregard for our legal system... The men and women of Border Patrol’s Detroit Sector remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting our communities and upholding the integrity of our border,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Javier Geronimo, Jr., U.S. Border Patrol Detroit Sector.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and targeting criminal organizations.
