Miguel Angel Vasquez-Amaya, a 46-year-old citizen of Honduras, was arrested and charged in Buffalo, New York, with re-entry of a removed alien. The charge follows an incident on August 31, 2025, when Vasquez-Amaya was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by Customs and Border Protection at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry. Following a referral for secondary inspection, authorities discovered through immigration records that Vasquez-Amaya had previously been removed from the United States in November 2002.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the arrest and charge, which could result in up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith said: “According to the complaint, on August 31, 2025, Vasquez-Amaya was a passenger in a vehicle that was encountered by Customs and Border Protection at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry. The vehicle was referred for secondary inspection. An immigration records check revealed that Vasquez-Amaya was physically removed from the United States in November 2002.”
The case is part of Operation Take Back America. According to officials, this nationwide initiative aims to use all available Department of Justice resources to address illegal immigration and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation under Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.
Authorities emphasized that charges are accusations only: “The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”
