U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York City has arrested Jeremias Benites Vasquez, a 39-year-old citizen of El Salvador, during a targeted enforcement operation on May 14 in Brentwood, New York. The arrest was made by ICE officers and special agents during a traffic stop. Benites was served with a notice of intent/decision to reinstate his prior removal order as an alien who had illegally reentered the United States after being previously deported.
Bryan Flanagan, acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in New York City, stated, “This office remains committed to apprehending and removing criminal alien predators who commit horrific acts of violence against our most vulnerable community members.”
Benites was first encountered by U.S. Border Patrol agents near Mission, Texas, on August 20, 2009. He was processed for expedited removal due to being inadmissible to the U.S., and subsequently removed to El Salvador on September 10, 2009. He later reentered the United States at an unknown date and location without admission or parole by an immigration official.
On March 12, 2024, Benites was arrested for sexual assault involving carnal abuse and lewd acts with a minor. He was convicted on March 20, 2025, for sexual abuse in the first degree: contact with a victim less than 13 years old where the defendant is aged 21 or older. Benites is currently in ICE custody pending his removal to El Salvador.
For more information about ERO New York City’s mission to preserve public safety, follow them on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @ERONewYork.
