Border Patrol arrests former DACA recipient
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a man who they say was a previous DACA recipient late Monday night near downtown Calexico.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said around 11:50 p.m., on Monday, agents assigned to the Calexico Border Patrol Station were notified by Remote Video Surveillance Systems (RVSS) operators that an individual had made an illegal entry approximately 3.5 miles east of the Calexico downtown area. RVSS operators obtained visual of the subject running north from the international boundary fence. After running about 200 yards north of the fence, the man laid down on the ground. The man stood up and attempted to abscond by running away as agents approached him to make the arrest. After a brief foot chase, agents caught and detained the subject. The man was arrested and transported to the Calexico station for processing.
Border Patrol agents said they conducted records checks, which revealed the 23-year-old man was Juan Manuel Montes-Bojorquez, a Mexican citizen who had been previously removed to Mexico on February 19, 2017, through the Calexico Port of Entry. Montes is a prior DACA beneficiary who was previously removed from the country after he was arrested attempting to illegally enter the U.S.
“Our agents witnessed and arrested Mr. Bojorquez making an illegal entry into the United States for the second time this year,” said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim. “Border Patrol Agents will always stop, detain, and arrest anyone making an illegal entry into the country irrespective of their immigration or citizenship status.”
Montes was booked into the Imperial County Jail on pending charges of re-entry after removal.
Montes claims he was wrongfully removed from Mexico despite his protected status. Montes said he suffers from a cognitive disability. He said in a sworn declaration that he worked in the fields in Imperial Valley on February 18, and then went home and had dinner at a friend’s house in Calexico.
While he was walking to a taxi stand he was stopped by a Border Patrol agent for questioning. He then said he was driven to the port of entry around 1 a.m. the next day, and told to cross into Mexico.
He crossed again that same day, and was deported back to Mexico February 20.
