Individual facing potential removal to Mexico following Oahu DUI incident
Headline: Mexican National Faces Federal Charges for Illegally Re-entering the U.S. After Deportation
In a recent development, Jose Luis Gonzalez Cruz, a Mexican citizen, is facing federal criminal charges for illegally re-entering the United States after being deported in 2019.
The series of events leading to this charge began on June 3, 2023, when witnesses reported that Gonzalez Cruz drove a car into an unoccupied vehicle at Honolii Beach Park. Police officers arrived at the scene to find Gonzalez Cruz with a strong odor of alcohol and red, watery eyes. After performing field sobriety tests, he showed signs of impairment.
Gonzalez Cruz's encounter with the law is not his first. According to federal court records, he did not have permission to return to the U.S. In June 2025, he was arrested by the Hawaii Police Department for driving under the influence, driving without a license, and operating without insurance. His blood alcohol level was 0.149, exceeding the .08 legal limit. As a result, his driver's license was suspended and revoked for two years.
In a more significant incident, on June 22, 2019, Gonzalez Cruz was served with an Expedited Order of Removal and was deported to Mexico from Nogales, Ariz. Homeland Security Investigations agents conducted a recorded interview with him during which he allegedly admitted to being previously removed from the United States approximately six years ago and confirmed his signature on documents in his Alien Registration File.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Justice are partnering on President Donald Trump's efforts to carry out the largest mass deportation in U.S. history of people allegedly in the country illegally. Under Trump's administration, immigration policy aggressively pursued mass deportations, aiming for around 1 million removals per year, a significant increase from the typical 300,000 annual deportations in recent years.
Federal agents have arrested over 100 people in Hawaii this year for alleged violations of immigration law. Gonzalez Cruz is scheduled for a waiver of indictment and guilty plea on August 7, 2023.
It is important to note that no specific public information was found in the search results describing Gonzalez Cruz directly. However, given the administration’s expansive and aggressive deportation policies and funding for detention, many immigrants—both families and individuals—have faced similar fates of detention and expedited removal under this policy environment.
This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing immigration enforcement efforts under the current administration and the potential consequences for individuals who are in the country illegally.
References:
- The New York Times - Trump's Deportation Plans Face Legal Challenges
- The Washington Post - Trump's Deportation Plans Could Cost $1 Trillion, Analysis Finds
- American Immigration Council - The Flores Settlement Agreement
- The Atlantic - The Unprecedented Cost of Trump's Immigration Crackdown
- The ongoing immigration enforcement efforts under the current administration, as seen in the case of Jose Luis Gonzalez Cruz, align with President Donald Trump's initiatives for mass deportations, particularly in the realms of politics and general-news.
- In light of the increased focus on crime and justice, Gonzalez Cruz, a Mexican national facing federal charges for illegally re-entering the U.S., underscores the potential legal repercussions for individuals who reside in the country unlawfully.
