A Cuban national is among 15 immigrants charged in Florida for illegally reentering the United States after being deported, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.
Sergio Perdomo Paján, a 38-year-old Cuban native, was discovered by authorities in Miami-Dade County in November 2025, according to a federal indictment. Despite being deported in 2013 and again in 2022, Perdomo reentered the U.S. without legal permission.
Federal prosecutor Jason A. Reding Quiñones announced on Monday that a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida indicted 15 undocumented immigrants, including Perdomo, who had previously been deported on charges of illegal reentry.
Authorities have warned that Perdomo could face up to 20 years in prison due to charges of aggravated criminal history, which might lead to a harsher sentence than the federal law's standard maximum for illegal reentry into the U.S.
The statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office clarified that illegal reentry after deportation carries a maximum federal prison sentence of two years, but this can significantly increase if the defendant has a criminal record.
The operations that led to the capture of the 15 immigrants took place across various counties in southern Florida, primarily between November and December 2025, according to official information. Besides the Cuban, the group includes migrants from Guatemala (7), Mexico (5), and Honduras (2), who allegedly reentered the U.S. illegally after prior deportations.
Investigations into these cases are being conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the divisions of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with assistance from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Highway Patrol.
The cases are being prosecuted by assistant federal prosecutors and the newly established Border Crimes and Immigration Enforcement Section (BICE), created in November 2025 to enhance border security and enforce federal immigration laws in southern Florida. Since its inception, BICE has prosecuted over 40 cases of illegal reentry, according to authorities.
Understanding Illegal Reentry Charges in the U.S.
What are the consequences of illegal reentry into the United States?
Illegal reentry into the United States after deportation can lead to a maximum federal prison sentence of two years. However, if the individual has a criminal record, the sentence can be significantly increased.
Who investigates illegal reentry cases in the U.S.?
Illegal reentry cases are investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including the divisions of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
What is the role of the Border Crimes and Immigration Enforcement Section (BICE)?
The Border Crimes and Immigration Enforcement Section (BICE) was established to strengthen border security and enforce federal immigration laws in southern Florida. It handles the prosecution of illegal reentry cases and other immigration-related offenses.