NEW BEDFORD — He was deported in 1996. Deported again in 2012. But by 2025, Manuel Ruiz-Luis was back in Massachusetts, living illegally in New Bedford and once again breaking the law — this time caught driving under the influence.

ICE agents arrested Ruiz-Luis on March 31 in what they described as yet another example of a repeat immigration offender flouting the system with impunity. He pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.

According to federal authorities, Ruiz-Luis has a long track record in the U.S., with multiple convictions prior to his second removal in 2012. The list includes operating under the influence and four separate cases of driving without a license.

After his 2012 removal, Ruiz-Luis quietly slipped back into the country. For years, he remained under the radar — until now.

“Ruiz-Luis has displayed a blatant disregard for U.S. immigration laws and chose to endanger our law-abiding residents by driving under the influence,” said ICE ERO Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde.

He now faces up to two years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and another deportation order. Sentencing is scheduled for September 18.

It’s unclear how long he remained in the U.S. undetected after his last removal. What is clear: deportation didn’t stop him the first two times. And unless something changes, it may not stop him again.

ICE says it remains focused on removing criminal alien offenders from New England communities. In Massachusetts, that continues to be an uphill battle.

🔗 Click to read the official ICE press release