THE FOLLOW UP
STATEMENT

DHS says suspect had a final removal order, was removed, re-entered, and was released Jan. 2, 2025

Unclear

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enforcement

Records show Border Patrol encountered Vasquez and issued a final order of removal dated December 16, 2024; he was removed, later re-entered the U.S., and was released on January 2, 2025.

Source summary
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the arrest of Enrique Bautista Vasquez in Cathedral City, California; local police have charged him with lewd or lascivious acts with a minor and rape after alleging he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old autistic girl on New Year’s Eve. DHS said ICE lodged a detainer and stated Vasquez had been encountered by Border Patrol and subject to a final order of removal on December 16, 2024, was removed, then allegedly re-entered and was released January 2, 2025. Local authorities reported physical evidence and alleged possession of fraudulent immigration documents; DHS’s statement criticized California sanctuary policies and directed victims to the VOICE Office for support.
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Latest fact check

DHS’s January 29, 2026 press release asserts that Enrique Bautista Vasquez was encountered by Border Patrol and had a final order of removal dated December 16, 2024, was removed, re-entered the U.S., and was released on January 2, 2025. I found the DHS press release and multiple secondary news outlets repeating those claims, but I could not locate independent primary records (e.g., CBP/ICE encounter or removal records, court removal order, or official DOJ/immigration court filings) publicly confirming the December 16, 2024 encounter, removal, re-entry, or release on January 2, 2025. Because the key factual elements appear only in DHS/ICE statements and in derivative media reports and no primary government records were located to verify the timeline, the claim is currently unclear and should be rechecked when ICE/CBP/EOIR records or court/booking records are made available.

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Timeline

  1. Scheduled follow-up · Feb 12, 2026overdue
  2. Completion due · Feb 12, 2026
  3. Update · Jan 30, 2026, 09:58 AMUnclear
    DHS’s January 29, 2026 press release asserts that Enrique Bautista Vasquez was encountered by Border Patrol and had a final order of removal dated December 16, 2024, was removed, re-entered the U.S., and was released on January 2, 2025. I found the DHS press release and multiple secondary news outlets repeating those claims, but I could not locate independent primary records (e.g., CBP/ICE encounter or removal records, court removal order, or official DOJ/immigration court filings) publicly confirming the December 16, 2024 encounter, removal, re-entry, or release on January 2, 2025. Because the key factual elements appear only in DHS/ICE statements and in derivative media reports and no primary government records were located to verify the timeline, the claim is currently unclear and should be rechecked when ICE/CBP/EOIR records or court/booking records are made available.
  4. Original article · Jan 29, 2026
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