Washington — Two Mexican citizens previously removed from the United States were sentenced in recent weeks for illegal reentry, federal prosecutors announced.
Jorge Velasquez-Sandoval, 36, and Filadelfo Garcia Garcia, 36, both had prior removal orders and returned to the U.S. without authorization. Each pleaded guilty in federal court and received time-served sentences—approximately 54 days for Velasquez-Sandoval and 28 days for Garcia Garcia.
According to prosecutors, Velasquez-Sandoval was first removed in 2009 and again in 2015. Authorities later encountered him in Snohomish County, where he was arrested in 2024 for fourth-degree assault related to domestic violence and released. He was arrested again in 2025 for violating a protection order before federal agents obtained a warrant and took him into custody in February 2026.
At sentencing, U.S. District Judge James L. Robart cited a pattern of repeated offenses, stating that Velasquez-Sandoval appeared to commit crimes each time he returned to the United States.
In a separate case, Garcia Garcia was previously removed in 2018 and 2019. Prosecutors said he had multiple DUI convictions and arrests over several years, including incidents in 2014, 2016, and 2025. He was arrested in Lewis County in December 2025, leading to a federal warrant and subsequent sentencing in April 2026. U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead emphasized the seriousness of impaired driving during the hearing.
Both men will be transferred to immigration authorities for removal proceedings.
Federal officials criticized Washington state’s sanctuary policies, arguing they can limit coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Prosecutors said such policies have contributed to repeat offenses by individuals released back into communities.
The cases were investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations unit and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Cáceres.
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Oh no, time served, that ought to show them the seriousness of their invasion on America. They don’t care, they get carte blanche off the backs of ACTUAL AMERICANS. This is precisely why they don’t care, you take away their cookies and milk thinking your pussified time served will be the reason they’ll never do it again! Demon Dem policies are a joke and so is the the party of the demons.