Peruvian migrant acquitted in the first trial over the new militarized zone at US-Mexico border
Share this @internewscast.com

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — On Thursday, a Peruvian woman who had crossed the U.S. border without authorization was found not guilty of unauthorized entry into a newly designated militarized zone. This is the first case of its kind under the Trump administration’s initiative to prosecute immigrants who enter specified areas in New Mexico and western Texas.

Adely Vanessa De La Cruz-Alvarez, 21, was apprehended last month near Tornillo, West Texas, after crossing into the U.S. from Mexico by traversing the Rio Grande riverbed, according to court records.

Besides the charge of illegal entry into the country, she faced charges for entering a military zone. This charge is part of a broader campaign by President Donald Trump’s administration, following the transfer of land along the border to military control. This effort is a new strategy by the Department of Justice to intensify actions against illegal immigration.

The Associated Press left messages Thursday with De La Cruz-Alvarez’s attorney, Veronica Teresa Lerma. The lawyer told The Texas Tribune the acquittal is significant.

“Hopefully, this sets the tone for the federal government,” Lerma said, “so they know what the El Paso community will do with these charges.”

Even before the woman’s case went to trial, federal magistrate judges in neighboring New Mexico had dismissed similar cases, finding little evidence that immigrants knew about the zones.

Lerma was convicted of entering the country illegally and was already facing deportation, but could have faced up to 18 months in prison for entering the militarized zone.

Despite the verdict, U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons of the Western District of Texas said his office will continue to aggressively prosecute National Defense Area violations.

“At the end of the day, another illegal alien has been found guilty of illegally entering the country in violation of the improper entry statute and will be removed from the United States,” Simmons said in a statement. “That’s a win for America.”

The administration wants to sharply increase the removal of immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally as Trump seeks to make good on his pledge of mass deportations. The administration has deployed thousands of troops to the border, while arrests have plunged to the lowest levels since the mid-1960s.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Renna O'Rourke dies attempting dangerous online 'dusting' challenge

Tragic Incident: Renna O’Rourke Passes Away During Hazardous ‘Dusting’ Challenge

A fame-seeking teenager died attempting an alarming social-media challenge called “dusting,” according…
‘Psychotic' Sydney Sweeney admits she’s ‘really vicious’ on set

‘Sydney Sweeney Confesses to Being Intensely Fierce on Set’

Don’t let her sweet personality fool you. Sydney Sweeney recently revealed that…
Country's biggest stars express gratitude for fans at CMA Fest in Nashville

Top Artists Show Appreciation for Fans at Nashville’s CMA Fest

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Get your cowboy boots ready, CMA Fest is back…
Navy sailor vanishes without a trace as mother reveals concerning break in daily habit

Navy Sailor Mysteriously Disappears: Mother Highlights Unusual Change in Routine

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Virginia authorities are searching…
Former cop mom slams policies that let illegal alien allegedly strike son in hit-and-run: ‘A lot of problems’

Ex-police officer mother criticizes policies allowing undocumented immigrant to allegedly hit her son in hit-and-run: ‘Numerous Issues’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A former police officer…
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon Smacks Down Religious Ignorance, Regardless of Source

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon Confronts Religious Misunderstandings from All Sides

Harmeet Dhillon, currently holding the position of Assistant Attorney General for the…
Colorado firebombing attack on protesters suspect faces 118 charges

Suspect in Colorado Firebombing Attack on Protesters Faces 118 Charges

The attempted murder charges alone could result in 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman…
Close-up of ants eating a dead earthworm.

Foul-Smelling Super Ants Invade Europe in Massive Colonies, Eating Cables and Threatening to Spread to the UK

A STINKING species of super-ant is storming through Europe on a path…
Israeli forces recover body of Thai hostage killed in Gaza by terror group

Israeli Military Retrieves Body of Thai Hostage Slain by Terror Group in Gaza

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The Israeli military has…
Jiu-jitsu students grappling on a mat.

Terrifying Incident: Jiu-Jitsu Student Paralyzed from Neck Down After Being Slammed by Instructor ‘Sinistro’

THIS is the horror moment a jiu-jitsu student was left paralysed from…
Several detained in Homeland Security operation at Accelerated Global Operations, SpeedX warehouse on Busse Road: witnesses

Multiple Arrests Made by Homeland Security at SpeedX Warehouse on Busse Road, Report Witnesses

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. (WLS) — Witnessing a Homeland Security Investigations operation…
Notorious 'Devil in the Ozarks' finally caught after weeks-long manhunt that drew multiple agencies

Infamous ‘Devil in the Ozarks’ Captured Following Weeks-Long Multi-Agency Search

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Escapee Grant Hardin, a…