Document text
Mexican National Previously Deported in 2018 Arrested at Portland Airport on Illegal Reentry Crime & Courts By Lucille McNamara On Feb 11, 2026 Last updated Feb 11, 2026 Portland International Airport (PDX) | Credit: Quintin Soloviev PORTLAND, Ore. — A Mexican national, who was returned to his country of origin in June 2018, appeared in federal court in Portland last Thursday, charged with illegal reentry into the USA. Manuel Cruz-Ramirez (38) appeared in court on an amended indictment that includes first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, and purchasing sex from a minor. Tidings Insight The illegal reentry case is federal. The separate Oregon charges listed in the amended indictment are handled in state court. Someone can be released on state bail but still held in federal detention. According to court documents, Cruz-Ramirez was apprehended on February 3, 2026, when a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer encountered him at a terminal checkpoint at Portland International Airport, where he had presented a Mexican passport in the name of an alias. The TSA officer alerted Customs and Border Protection, and fingerprints established his identity as Cruz-Ramirez, an extradited illegal immigrant. A review of his immigration file and electronic bases established that Cruz-Ramirez entered the United States on June 25, 2018, and was placed on expedited removal proceedings the following day. He was sent back to Mexico on June 28, 2018. Tidings Context Expedited removal is a fast DHS process that can remove certain noncitizens without an immigration judge hearing. If the person later returns without permission, it can trigger an illegal reentry charge. Cruz-Ramirez is in detention pending further court proceedings. Tidings Timeline Jun 25, 2018: Entered the United States. Jun 26, 2018: Placed in expedited removal proceedings. Jun 28, 2018: Removed to Mexico. Feb 3, 2026: Encountered at PDX checkpoint using an alias passport; fingerprints confirmed identity. Feb 5, 2026: First federal court appearance in Portland; held in detention. Multnomah County Portland Share Twitter Facebook ReddIt WhatsApp Pinterest Email