2 Mexican nationals sentenced after repeat deportations and WA arrests

Two Mexican citizens, both illegally present in the U.S., were sentenced for reentry of a removed alien in recent weeks after they were both arrested in Washington.

Both Jorge Velasquez-Sandoval, 36, and Filadelfo Garcia Garcia, 36, returned to the U.S. after two prior removals, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd stated.

Velasquez-Sandoval’s case

Velasquez-Sandoval was first ordered to leave the country in February 2009 by an immigration judge. In December 2015, Velasquez-Sandoval was encountered by agents with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in California. Velasquez-Sandoval was again removed from the U.S.

Nine years later, in October 2024, DHS agents learned that Velasquez-Sandoval was arrested once more in the U.S., this time in Snohomish County for fourth-degree domestic violence assault. But Velasquez-Sandoval was released back into the community. A year later, in September 2025, Velasquez-Sandoval was arrested again for violating a protection order related to the domestic violence assault.

On February 26, Velasquez-Sandoval pleaded guilty.

“It is clear that Mr. Velasquez-Sandoval has no respect for the law,” U.S. District Judge James Robart said at the sentencing hearing. “It looks to me that I’ve got somebody who’s essentially committing crimes every time he’s here.”

As Velasquez-Sandoval is being processed for removal to Mexico, he is in custody pending transfer to immigration authorities.

Garcia Garcia’s case

Garcia Garcia was first removed from the U.S. in August 2018. A year later, he was found in California and removed a second time.

Six years after his second arrest, in December 2025, Garcia Garcia was arrested, this time in Lewis County. Prosecutors noted that Garcia Garcia had a dangerous history of driving under the influence.

“For example, he has DUI convictions from 2014, 2016, and 2025, in addition to other arrests for DUIs that did not result in convictions from June 2015, August 2017, October 2022, and August 2025,” prosecutors stated. “He also has multiple arrests for ignition interlock violations over the years, one of which resulted in a conviction. Also concerning is a 2017 arrest for a hit and run of an attended vehicle, which was dismissed after entering into a stipulated order of continuance.”

Like Velasquez-Sandoval, Garcia Garcia is in the process of being removed to Mexico.

Are sanctuary policies within WA hindering immigration enforcement?

Referencing these two cases, U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd argued that it’s dangerous for Washington’s sanctuary policies to prohibit local officials from cooperating with immigration enforcement.

“Mr. Velasquez-Sandoval was arrested in Snohomish County for domestic violence, but was released before immigration agents could take him into custody. When he was arrested again for violating a protection order, we were able to secure a judicial warrant for illegally re-entering the U.S. and keep him detained,” Floyd stated. “Similarly, Mr. Garcia Garcia has multiple DUI convictions and even more arrests. This criminal alien was repeatedly released back into the community rather than turning him over to immigration authorities.

“It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed because the state refuses to cooperate with federal law enforcement,” he continued. “My office will continue to use the tools we have available to ensure crimes are not committed by individuals who are in the U.S. illegally.”

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