EL PASO, Texas — A Peruvian national, who entered the United States without legal permission, was acquitted on Thursday of the charge of unauthorized access to a newly designated military zone. This case marked the first trial under the heightened enforcement by the Trump administration targeting immigrants crossing certain areas in New Mexico and western Texas.
Adely Vanessa De La Cruz-Alvarez, aged 21, was taken into custody last month close to the town of Tornillo in West Texas. Court documents indicate she had crossed from Mexico by walking through the Rio Grande riverbed.
In addition to her illegal entry charge, De La Cruz-Alvarez faced charges for allegedly entering a military zone. She is among several immigrants charged due to President Trump’s administration transitioning oversight of a border land section to the military, part of a broader plan by the Department of Justice to increase measures against illegal immigration.
The attorney representing De La Cruz-Alvarez, Veronica Teresa Lerma, could not be reached for comment immediately. However, in another statement, Lerma emphasized the importance of the acquittal.
“This verdict should serve as a message to the federal authorities,” Lerma commented, “illustrating the El Paso community’s stance regarding such charges.”
Prior to the trial, neighboring New Mexico’s federal magistrate judges had dismissed similar cases, often citing insufficient evidence of immigrants’ awareness of the military-designated zones.
De La Cruz-Alvarez, while acquitted on the militarized zone charge, was still found guilty of illegal entry into the U.S. and faced deportation. The militarized zone charge carried a potential prison sentence of up to 18 months.
Despite the acquittal, U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons from the Western District of Texas asserted that the office will persist in prosecuting breaches of National Defense Area regulations.
“At the conclusion, another individual was convicted of illegal entry, as per our statutes, and will face removal from the country,” Simmons stated. “This outcome is a success for the United States.”
The administration under Trump remains committed to significantly increasing the deportation of individuals residing illegally in the U.S., as part of fulfilling the President’s mass deportation campaign promises. Thousands of troops have been stationed at the border since this initiative commenced, and apprehensions have notably dropped to historical lows not observed since the mid-1960s.