BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a previously deported man encountered at Peace Bridge.  Jose Salazar Estrada, a 38-year old male citizen of Mexico, was charged with re-entry after removal and false claim to U.S. citizenship. 

Estrada was encountered at the Peace Bridge after turning around prior to entering Canada on December 7. At primary inspection, Estrada presented an Arizona driver’s license and claimed to be a U.S. citizen. When asked for additional identification, he presented an Arizona voter registration card. Estrada was referred to secondary inspection for further questioning. CBP officers discovered that Estrada had previously been arrested and convicted for several charges, including domestic assault, failure to appear, and alien smuggling. Estrada had already been removed from the U.S. on five separate occasions and was barred for life from re-entering the U.S. 

CBP’s Office of Field Operations presented the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where it was accepted for prosecution.  

Estrada appeared before a federal magistrate on December 8.  Estrada was charged with illegal re-entry after an aggravated felony conviction, and remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

"This was an outstanding job by our front line officers," said Acting Port Director Cary Frieling. "Identifying individuals with a criminal history and who were also previously deported is part of the important job our officers do to secure our borders and protect our community. The officers’ vigilance in this case specifically led this important apprehension," Frieling said.