A Mexican national was sentenced on March 13 to 10 years in prison after her seventh conviction for re-entry of a removed alien, according to an announcement by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Chief Patrol Agent Jesse D. Muñoz of the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to deter repeated illegal entries into the United States. There is no parole in the federal system, meaning the sentence must be served in full.
Court records show that on October 11, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered Elena Ernestina Pedroza, age 60, in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. Records indicated that Pedroza had previously been convicted of re-entry of a removed alien and deported six times before, most recently in August 2025. She had previously received a total of 88 months (7 years and 3 months) in prison for all prior reentry convictions combined. The United States requested a longer sentence this time as a deterrent.
Pedroza pled guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 120 months in prison.
The U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Silvia Delgado prosecuted it.
