ICE Apprehends Mexican National Wanted for Rape Charges in Mexico

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reported the removal of a Mexican national who is sought in Mexico for serious rape allegations. The individual, identified as Raymundo Rojas Bacilio, has a disturbing history of sexual offenses and multiple illegal entries into the United States.

A Pattern of Illegal Reentry

Rojas, who was born in Mexico, previously faced conviction for sexually abusing an 11-year-old child in the United States. According to reports, he had been deported five times prior to his most recent apprehension. On January 25, he was sent back to Mexico, reinforcing ICE’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws.

Brian McShane, the acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Philadelphia, emphasized the agency’s relentless pursuit of individuals who pose threats to American safety. “The removal of Raymundo Rojas Bacilio underscores the critical importance of our enforcement actions. His repeated illegal entries into the United States and his heinous criminal acts posed a significant threat to the safety and security of our communities,” said McShane.

Criminal History

Rojas first made headlines when he attempted to enter the U.S. unlawfully in May 2002. During that month, he was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol three times near Douglas, Arizona, but voluntarily returned to Mexico after each incident.

His attempts to reenter the U.S. escalated in January 2012 when he was detained at the Nogales border crossing in Arizona. Rojas presented fraudulent identification, including an Arizona driver’s license and a U.S. birth certificate. After being sent back to Mexico, he attempted to cross the border again just five days later using the same fraudulent documents.

Warrants and Additional Charges

In May 2013, authorities in Mexico issued an arrest warrant for Rojas due to the rape charges. However, he unlawfully reentered the U.S. at an undisclosed date and location without formal admission from any immigration official.

On August 28, 2023, Rojas was eventually apprehended by the New York Police Department. Following legal proceedings, he was convicted on September 20, 2024, for forcibly touching the intimate parts of an 11-year-old victim. The Kings County Supreme Court sentenced him to 60 days of incarceration and six years of probation while also requiring him to register as a sex offender.

ICE’s Continued Commitment to Community Safety

Following his conviction, ICE agents arrested Rojas outside his residence in Queens on December 17, 2024. This removal signifies more than just a single case; it highlights ICE’s ongoing efforts to safeguard communities across the nation by targeting individuals who have a history of violent crimes and who violate immigration laws.

As issues surrounding immigration and public safety continue to be points of discussion within the United States, cases like that of Raymundo Rojas Bacilio reveal the complexities and the urgent need for stringent immigration enforcement. The removal actions taken by ICE underscore the agency’s commitment to the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws and ensuring that dangerous criminals cannot exploit the U.S. immigration system.

Implications for Immigration Policy

The case also raises important questions about the effectiveness of current immigration policy and the measures in place to track individuals with criminal backgrounds. As policymakers consider reforms, the story of Rojas serves as a reminder of the critical nature of maintaining the balance between lawful immigration and protecting public safety.

Fox News’ Peter Pinedo contributed to this report.